Khaled Al-Shamlan Ranks First in Kuwait's Banking Sector on Forbes' 2026 Sustainability Leaders List

In recognition of his prominent impact and leadership role in driving sustainability efforts at Kuwait Finance House (KFH), Forbes Middle East named KFH Group CEO Khaled Yousef Al-Shamlan first in the Kuwaiti banking sector and seventh across the Middle East on its 2026 Middle East Sustainability Leaders list.

The award was presented during the Sustainability Leaders Awards ceremony held in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, under the patronage of Dr. Amina Al-Abduljaleel, Minister of Climate Change and Environment of the UAE. The event brought together leaders in sustainability, technology, and finance to promote green practices and advance sustainability. Al-Shamlan received the honor on his behalf through Meshal Al-Shaikh, KFH’s Chief Compliance and Governance Officer.

The 2026 Sustainability Leaders list highlights executives who are advancing the sustainability agenda and influencing the trajectory of leading companies in the region. It includes 145 participants across 17 sectors, including banking, energy and utilities, family businesses, financial services, food and agriculture, free zones, healthcare, investment and holding companies, industry, oil and gas, real estate and construction, renewable energy, technology and telecommunications, transport and logistics, development funds, and others.

Forbes Middle East noted that KFH Group expanded its investments in sustainability sukuk to approximately $2.38 billion in 2025, reflecting its leadership role in sustainable financing within Islamic finance markets. It added that KFH’s investments in sustainable and green sukuk rose to around $1.2 billion in 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 30.7% compared to 2024. These investments were distributed as 44% in sustainable sukuk and 56% in green sukuk.

The magazine also highlighted that KFH launched an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) sustainability plan in 2025, targeting carbon neutrality for its operational activities by 2060, supported by an executive implementation roadmap for the period 2025–2030.

Leadership in Sustainability

The bank continues to contribute to sustainability through its successful investments in sustainability sukuk and green sukuk, its commitment to integrating sustainable practices into its operations, and its proactive adoption of Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) principles as a core element of its corporate strategy, in alignment with Kuwait Vision 2035’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

KFH received an “A” rating in the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) ESG Index, published by Morgan Stanley, for its environmental, social, and governance standards. Additionally, KFH was included in the FTSE4Good Global Sustainability Index, thanks to its exceptional performance in ESG practices and its commitment to sustainable financing.

KFH successfully obtained the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for several of its branches, bringing the total number of branches with this distinguished classification to five since early 2026. Furthermore, KFH’s KFH Auto exhibition received a GSAS Gold Sustainability Assessment rating, making it the first bank in Kuwait to achieve this prestigious recognition. KFH continues its sustainability efforts through collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Kuwait Finance House continues to run its pioneering “Business Sustainability” program for its small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) clients, aiming to provide them with a competitive edge to realize their aspirations and reaffirming its vision to promote sustainable development and its leadership in fostering an entrepreneurial environment. It also continues the “Keep It Green” initiative, which enhances environmental protection and works to reduce carbon emissions for a more sustainable future. Kuwait Finance House was the first institution to begin impact measurement reporting, and it annually publishes its Sustainability Report and Carbon Footprint Report, which include valuable information, insights, and detailed plans highlighting carbon neutrality and reducing the negative impacts of activities misaligned with environmental protection in the coming years, in line with global initiatives to combat climate change.