Khaled Al-Shamlan Named Among 'Middle East Sustainability Leaders' 2026
Khaled Al-Shamlan honored on Forbes Middle East's 2026 Sustainability Leaders list
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
In recognition of his prominent impact and leadership role in driving sustainability efforts at Kuwait Finance House (KFH), Forbes Middle East ranked the group’s CEO, Khaled Yousef Al-Shamlan, first among banks in Kuwait and seventh across the Middle East in 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 bint Abdullah Al-Abdulaziz Al-Duwaik, Minister of Climate Change and Environment of the UAE. The event brought together leaders in sustainability, technology, and finance to promote green practices and enhance sustainability. Mishaal Al-Shaikh, Head of Compliance and Governance at KFH, accepted the award on behalf of Al-Shamlan.
The 2026 Sustainability Leaders list highlights executive leaders who contribute to advancing the sustainability agenda and influencing the trajectory of major companies in the region. It includes 145 participants distributed across 17 sectors: 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 expanded its investments in sustainability sukuk to approximately $2.38 billion in 2025, reflecting its leading 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 percent compared to 2024. These investments were distributed as 44 percent in sustainable sukuk and 56 percent in green sukuk.
The magazine pointed out that KFH introduced an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) sustainability plan in 2025, targeting carbon neutrality for its operational activities by 2060, supported by an implementation roadmap for the period 2025–2030.
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 ESG principles as a core element of its corporate strategy, in alignment with Kuwait Vision 2035 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
KFH received an “A” rating in the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) ESG Index, published by Morgan Stanley, which evaluates environmental, social, and governance standards. It was also included in the FTSE4Good Global Sustainability Index, owing 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. Additionally, the bank’s KFH Auto exhibition received the Gold Level GSAS Sustainability Assessment, making it the first bank in Kuwait to achieve this prestigious recognition.
It also continues its efforts in the field of sustainability in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It continues to organize the first-of-its-kind “Business Sustainability” program for its small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) clients, aiming to provide them with a competitive edge to realize their aspirations, while 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.
Bayt Al-Mal was the first entity to begin impact measurement reporting, and it annually publishes a Sustainability Report and a Carbon Footprint Report, which include valuable information, insights, and detailed plans highlighting carbon neutrality and reducing the negative impacts of activities that are not aligned with environmental protection in the coming years, in line with global initiatives to combat climate change.
