Kuwait Finance House Showcases Leadership in Sustainable Finance and ESG Standards at Forbes 2026 Sustainability Leaders Summit

Kuwait Finance House participated in the 2026 Forbes Sustainability Leaders Summit, under the theme “Resilience for a Sustainable Future.” Held in Abu Dhabi and hosted by Dr. Amina bint Abdullah Al-Dhaheri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment of the United Arab Emirates, the summit brought together a select group of thought leaders, policymakers, and sector experts to discuss strategies for addressing challenges, accelerating innovation, and driving sustainable growth in key sectors, including energy, artificial intelligence, investment, natural capital, and workforce readiness.

The participation of Kuwait Finance House (KFH), represented by Meshal Al-Shaie, Head of Compliance and Governance at KFH, and Mohammed Al-Arabid, Chief Executive Officer of Governance and Sustainability at KFH, reflects its commitment to sustainable finance and responsible growth, while highlighting the role of Islamic finance in supporting sustainable development through Sharia-compliant solutions. The summit also provided KFH with an opportunity to exchange views with sector pioneers on best practices in sustainability, strengthen its approach to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, and reinforce its position as a leader in sustainable finance and long-term value creation.

Mohammed Al-Arabid, Chief Executive Officer of Governance and Sustainability at KFH, participated in a panel discussion titled “Sustainable Finance Exchange: From Commitments to Capital,” which highlighted the role of purpose-driven capital in accelerating climate innovation, empowering small and medium-sized enterprises, and generating long-term economic and social value. During the session, Al-Arabid emphasized the vital role banks play in linking capital with the real economy by directing financing toward sustainable development initiatives. He noted that financial institutions in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are well-positioned to support broad-based sustainable growth through investments in renewable energy, infrastructure, low-carbon technologies, and other projects that enhance economic resilience and environmental responsibility.

Al-Arabid also underscored the full alignment between Islamic finance and sustainability principles, pointing out that the asset-backed nature of Islamic finance encourages responsible investment and links financing to real economic activity. He added that KFH continues to integrate sustainability standards into its products and services, leveraging Islamic finance as a key driver for generating long-term value and achieving sustainable development.

He stressed that strong governance and transparency are fundamental pillars for building trust and promoting sustainable finance, noting that strengthening governance frameworks and disclosure practices will play a pivotal role in accelerating sustainable finance across the region. Al-Arabid pointed out that the KFH Group expanded its investments in sustainability sukuk to approximately $2.38 billion in 2025, reflecting its leadership role in sustainable finance within Islamic finance markets. He further noted 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 percent compared to 2024. These investments were distributed as 44 percent in sustainable sukuk and 56 percent in green sukuk.

Al-Arabid confirmed that KFH is implementing an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) sustainability plan aimed at achieving carbon neutrality for its operational activities by 2060, supported by an executive roadmap for the period 2025–2030.

KFH continues to make significant contributions in sustainability and ESG performance. The Group holds an “A” rating in the MSCI ESG Index and is included in the FTSE4Good Index Series, recognizing its commitment to best practices in environmental, social, and governance standards and sustainable finance. Additionally, KFH Auto received the GSAS Sustainability Assessment Gold Rating, becoming the first environmentally friendly car showroom in Kuwait fully committed to sustainability standards.

In the framework

In its efforts to advance sustainability, Kuwait Finance House signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and launched its first program dedicated to small and medium-sized enterprises, titled “Growth with Sustainability,” aimed at helping these businesses enhance their competitiveness and achieve sustainable growth. In addition to the above, the bank continues its pioneering “Keep It Green” initiative, which focuses on environmental conservation and reducing carbon emissions. Kuwait Finance House is a local pioneer in issuing impact measurement reports, maintaining its leadership in sustainability reporting through the publication of its annual sustainability report and carbon footprint report, which outline its environmental performance, achievements, and roadmap toward a lower-carbon future.