Sustainability Forum Middle East has confirmed National Bank of Bahrain as a Forum Partner for its fourth edition. The Forum will take place on 27–28 January 2026 at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, Minister of Oil & Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, with support from the Supreme Council for Environment.
As Bahrain’s national bank and a key institution within the country’s financial system, NBB continues to play an active role in promoting sustainability and responsible banking. The 2026 Forum will run under the theme “Advancing Alignment, Innovation, and Implementation for Energy and Climate Transformation”. It will open with a Special Address by H.E. Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and is expected to welcome more than 400 senior leaders from government, business, and the sustainability and climate community, from the region and beyond.
NBB operates a comprehensive Environmental, Social and Governance framework that aligns with Bahrain’s Economic Vision and national climate objectives. The Bank encourages sustainable practices among its clients and continues to develop financial products that support the shift towards a lower-carbon economy. Earlier in 2025, NBB launched its Sustainable Finance Framework, which sets clear criteria for financing eligible green and social projects. These include renewable energy, clean transport, green buildings, and initiatives that support employment and community development, in line with recognised international standards.
Alongside its role as Forum Partner, Zaina Alzayani, Group Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer at National Bank of Bahrain, will join the panel “Unlocking Climate Finance: Innovative Pathways for Transition and Resilience”. The session will examine how climate finance is expanding beyond traditional approaches to support blended and catalytic capital across the GCC and wider MENA region. Speakers will discuss tools such as sustainability-linked loans, sovereign green bonds, debt-for-climate swaps, and the growing role of transition and adaptation finance in supporting decarbonisation and economic resilience.
Commenting on NBB’s participation, Zaina Alzayani said, “The conversation around climate finance is increasingly centred on implementation. For banks, this means focusing on structures and instruments that can translate sustainability objectives into measurable outcomes, while managing risk and supporting economic growth. We are proud to partner with platforms such as SFME, which play a valuable role in aligning regional perspectives with global financial frameworks and practical market needs.”
Laila Danesh, Managing Director of FinMark Communication and Founder and Organiser of the Forum, added, “We are delighted to welcome National Bank of Bahrain back again as a Forum Partner for our 2026 edition and thank them for their continued partnership and support. NBB has been at the forefront of integrating ESG into its business model and advancing sustainable finance in alignment with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 and net-zero commitments. Their renewed partnership underscores the essential role financial institutions play in financing transition, scaling climate solutions, and embedding sustainability into everyday business and investment decisions.”
The fourth edition of SFME will feature an expanded programme, including a National Vision session bringing together ministers and senior officials to discuss competitiveness in the context of net-zero goals. Other sessions will focus on transition finance, climate-aligned business strategy, energy transition, industrial decarbonisation, AI, carbon and biodiversity markets, and workforce development. NBB’s sponsorship reflects its role in supporting Bahrain’s transition to a low-carbon economy and contributing to regional dialogue on sustainable finance.
Practical workshops will again form a central part of the Forum programme, led by organisations including KPMG, United Nations Development Programme, and Anthesis Group. These sessions aim to help organisations integrate climate considerations into strategy, reporting, operations, and financing.
The 2026 Forum is supported by Lead Partners SAFA and Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait; Strategic Partner UNDP; Forum Partners Aluminium Bahrain, Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard, Bahrain Ship Repairing and Engineering Company, Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill, and the American Chamber of Commerce Bahrain; Learning Partner Impact for Learning & Development; Media Partners Arab News and Al Ayam; and Marketing Partner The Butterfly Effect.
Further details and partnership enquiries are available at sustainmideast.com or via info@sustainmideast.com.