QIIB has been awarded the 2025 ‘Leadership Award for Sustainable Islamic Finance’ in Qatar by the Union of Arab Banks, recognizing the bank’s leading role in promoting sustainability and advancing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles within Islamic banking.
The honor was presented during the Banks Awards and Commendations of Excellence ceremony, recently held in Beirut, Lebanon. Omar Abdulaziz Al Meer, Chief of Corporate Sector at QIIB, accepted the award on behalf of the bank. The event was attended by senior officials from across the Arab nations and international banking and business sectors.
The Union of Arab Banks selected QIIB for its notable achievements in strong sustainability record and its ongoing commitment to integrating leading environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices into its banking and investment operations. The bank’s initiatives have contributed to enhancing the Islamic finance sector’s role in supporting economic development while safeguarding environmental and social wellbeing.
“We are proud to receive this prestigious award, which affirms our leadership as an Islamic financial institution committed to the principles of sustainable finance. At QIIB, we follow a strategic approach that balances economic growth, environmental preservation, and social responsibility. We extend our sincere thanks to the Union of Arab Banks for this honor, which acknowledges the Bank’s ongoing efforts to support the transition toward sustainability. It also reflects our success in integrating sustainability and ESG principles into our operations and future strategies.”
The CEO further highlighted the Bank’s long-term vision and noted that, “We believe that sustainable Islamic finance is one of the most important financing models for the future, as it brings together ethical principles, Shariah guidelines, and the goals of sustainable development. It contributes to building a balanced and stable financial system. In fact, we have made significant progress in strengthening ESG practices across our financing and investment activities, and we are systematically working to develop innovative products and services that meet customer aspirations while supporting the national economy.”
Dr. Al-Shaibei further stated that the Bank’s receipt of this award reflects the outcomes of carefully planned strategic initiatives introduced by QIIB in recent years, most notably the issuance of its first sustainable sukuk (Oryx) worth $500 million in January 2024.
This marked the first issuance of its kind by a Qatari institution and attracted exceptional interest from more than 120 investors worldwide. The sukuk offering followed the launch of our inaugural Sustainable Finance Framework, which aligns with leading international standards and the principles set by the International Capital Market Association (ICMA).
The CEO further stated that the QIIB signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD) to advance green finance initiatives and promote sustainable building practices. The Bank also introduced its Green Auto Finance product for electric and hybrid vehicles, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and innovation.
Dr. Al-Shaibei concluded that, “The Bank will continue to prioritize sustainability and support various initiatives aimed at advancing Islamic banking. Receiving the Leadership Award in Sustainable Islamic Finance places an even greater responsibility on us, one that motivates us to keep innovating and to invest in sustainable projects that deliver real, positive impact on the environment and society. This commitment is fully aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third Financial Sector Strategic Plan launched by the Qatar Central Bank.”
