Kuwait Finance House (KFH) participated in the Forbes Sustainability Leaders Summit 2026, held recently in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The event, organized under the patronage of Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al-Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, brought together policymakers, industry experts, and global thought leaders to discuss strategies for fostering resilience and sustainable growth across various sectors, including energy, artificial intelligence, investment, natural capital, and workforce readiness.
Represented by Meshal Alshayee, Head of Group Compliance and Governance, and Mohammad Alarbeed, Executive Manager of Governance and Sustainability, KFH underscored its commitment to sustainable finance and the integration of Islamic finance principles within that framework. The institution emphasized its role in promoting responsible growth through Sharia-compliant financial solutions aimed at supporting sustainable development.
Alarbeed participated as a panelist in the session titled “Sustainable Finance Exchange: From Commitments to Capital,” which examined how purpose-driven capital investments can accelerate climate innovation, empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and deliver sustained economic and social benefits. In his remarks, Alarbeed highlighted the critical role of banks in channeling capital toward sustainable development projects, citing opportunities in renewable energy, low-carbon technologies, infrastructure, and initiatives that enhance economic resilience and environmental stewardship within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
He also noted the alignment between Islamic finance and sustainability, pointing out that the asset-backed nature of Sharia-compliant financing encourages responsible investment by linking funding directly to real economic activities. According to Alarbeed, KFH actively integrates sustainability considerations across its financial products and services, positioning Islamic finance as a catalyst for long-term value creation and sustainable progress.
KFH’s sustainability achievements include increasing its exposure to sustainability-linked sukuk to approximately $2.38 billion in 2025. The bank’s portfolio of green and sustainable sukuk grew by 30.7 percent year-on-year, reaching nearly $1.2 billion, with 44 percent allocated to sustainable sukuk and 56 percent to green sukuk. These figures reflect KFH’s role as a regional leader in Islamic sustainable finance markets.
Further underscoring its sustainability agenda, KFH is advancing its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy, aiming to achieve net-zero operational emissions by 2060, supported by a detailed executive roadmap for 2025–2030. The group holds an MSCI ESG Rating of “A” and is listed in the FTSE-4Good Index Series, attesting to its adherence to recognized best practices in ESG and sustainable finance. Additionally, KFH’s automotive showroom in Kuwait received the GSAS Gold Level Sustainability Assessment Certificate, becoming the first environmentally friendly facility of its kind in the country.
In partnership efforts, KFH signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and launched the first Sustainable Business Program for SMEs, aiming to enhance business competitiveness while promoting sustainable growth. The bank also continues to advance its “Keep It Green” initiative, focused on environmental preservation and carbon emissions reduction.
KFH has been a pioneer in sustainability reporting in Kuwait, producing annual Sustainability and Carbon Footprint Reports that detail progress and outline pathways toward a lower-carbon future, reinforcing its role as a leader in sustainable finance in the region.