Beyt Al-Mal highlights its leadership in sustainable finance
Beyt Al-Mal's participation in the Forbes 2026 Sustainability Leaders Summit and signing a memorandum of understanding with the UN Development Programme.
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
Kuwait Finance House (KFH) participated in the Forbes Sustainability Leaders Summit 2026, under the theme “Resilience for a Sustainable Future,” sponsored by the UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Dr. Amina Al-Abbar. The summit brought together a select group of thought leaders, decision-makers, 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.
KFH’s participation, represented by Meshal Al-Shaie, Head of Compliance and Governance for the Group, and Mohammed Al-Arabid, Executive Director of Governance and Sustainability, underscores 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 an opportunity to exchange insights with sector pioneers on best practices in sustainability, strengthen KFH’s approach to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, and reinforce its position as a leader in sustainable finance and long-term value creation.
Al-Arabid participated in a panel discussion titled “Scaling Sustainable Finance: From Commitments to Capital,” which highlighted the role of purpose-driven capital in accelerating climate innovation, empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and generating long-term economic and social value.
He emphasized the vital role banks play in linking capital with the real economy by directing financing toward sustainable development initiatives. He noted that Gulf financial institutions 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.
He 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 ties financing directly to real economic activity.
He stressed that strong governance and transparency are fundamental pillars for building trust and advancing sustainable finance, noting that strengthening governance frameworks and disclosure practices will play a pivotal role in accelerating sustainable finance across the region.
He pointed out that KFH Group expanded its investments in sustainability sukuk to approximately $2.38 billion in 2025, reflecting its leadership in sustainable finance within Islamic capital markets. 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.
KFH continues to make significant contributions to sustainability and ESG performance. The Group holds an “A” rating in the MSCI ESG Ratings 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 Gold Level GSAS Sustainability Assessment certification, becoming the first environmentally friendly car showroom in Kuwait fully committed to sustainability standards.
As part of its efforts to advance sustainability, Kuwait Finance House signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and launched its first dedicated program for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) titled “Growth with Sustainability,” aimed at helping these businesses enhance their competitiveness and achieve sustainable growth.
The bank also continues its pioneering “Keep It Green” initiative, which aims to protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions.
Bayan Al-Khalifa is the local pioneer in issuing impact measurement reports, continuing its leadership in sustainability reporting by publishing its annual sustainability report and carbon footprint report.
