Gulf International Bank (GIB) has joined as a Strategic Partner for the fourth edition of Sustainability Forum Middle East (SFME), taking place on 27–28 January 2026 at the Four Seasons Hotel in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The 2026 Sustainability Forum Middle East will be held under the theme Advancing Alignment, Innovation, and Implementation for Energy and Climate Transformation and will open with a Special Address by H.E. Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
This year’s Sustainability Forum Middle East will bring together more than 400 leaders to discuss transition finance, climate-aligned business transformation, energy transition, industrial decarbonization, AI and next-generation technologies, and the expanding role of carbon and biodiversity markets.
Gulf International Bank is recognized as one of the region’s leading financial institutions advancing sustainable finance, with a strong focus on climate-aligned investment, transition-focused advisory, and sustainability-linked financing solutions.
The Bank actively participates in the regional carbon market and climate policy initiatives. Its partnership with SFME underscores GIB’s commitment to supporting public–private collaboration and helping shape the region’s transition pathway.
Sara Abdulhadi CEO – Gulf International Bank
“We are pleased to renew our partnership with Sustainability Forum Middle East and support its mission of advancing practical climate action across the region. At GIB, sustainability is central to how we partner with clients and stakeholders. Our participation in the Forum reflects our commitment to enabling a more resilient and sustainable regional economy, and to contributing financial expertise that supports real and measurable climate progress.”
Representing GIB at the Forum, alongside other senior executives of the Bank, will be Katherine Garrett-Cox, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf International Bank (UK) Ltd, who will join the Forum’s financing panel, also featuring other senior regional and international finance experts, to explore emerging models for transition finance, scaling sustainable investment, and mobilizing institutional capital for climate transformation.
“We are delighted to welcome GIB again as a Strategic Partner for our 2026 edition and look forward to their partnership at the Forum’s fourth edition. GIB’s leadership in the region and globally in sustainable finance, and its consistent engagement in climate-transition initiatives, make them an invaluable contributor whose continued partnership strengthens our collective efforts to deliver an action-oriented platform that supports implementation and the achievement of regional and global climate commitments,” said Laila Danesh, Managing Director of FinMark Communications, the founders and organizers of the Forum.
The Forum’s fourth edition will feature a strengthened program, including a high-level discussion that will bring together ministers and other senior government officials, diplomats, business leaders, financiers, tech innovators, and more, all focused on advancing competitiveness, climate readiness, and resilience as the region works towards its net-zero and broader sustainability goals. It will also feature high-impact workshops as a core part of the Forum, including sessions led by KPMG, UNDP, and Anthesis Group.
