Gulf Transition and Sustainable Finance 2025

Date: 30 April 2025, 8:45 AM UAE
Location: Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Galleria Shopping Mall, Level B3, Al Maryah St, Al Maryah Island, MI1, Abu Dhabi

The Gulf Transition and Sustainable Finance 2025 is a flagship event designed to explore the region’s evolving landscape in sustainable finance, climate action, and the future of green investment. Bringing together thought leaders, policymakers, and financial experts, the event aims to foster dialogue and share insights on the region’s role in the global transition to sustainability.

Panel Discussion: Outlook for the Sustainable Debt Market in the Middle East – How Will Transition Finance Develop?

Damian Regan will moderate a key panel focused on the sustainable debt market and the role of transition finance in the Middle East. The discussion will delve into several crucial aspects of the market’s development, including trends in issuance, sector growth, and the impact of emerging principles for transition finance.

Key topics of discussion

• Sovereign & Corporate Issuance in 2025: Will the record issuance seen in recent years continue? The panel will examine the outlook for sustainable debt issuance across both sovereign and corporate sectors in the Gulf region.
• Demand and Growth Prospects: Exploring the demand for sustainability-linked finance across various sectors and the future prospects for different types of financial instruments and labels.
• SL vs UoP Bonds & Loans: What are the trends in Sustainability-Linked (SL) versus Use of Proceeds (UoP) bonds and loans, and what are the implications for the region?
• Transition Loan Principles: With the development of Transition Loan Principles, the panel will discuss what impact this could have on the Gulf region’s market, and whether it could signal growth in the transition loan market. Could this also lead to a similar set of principles being adopted in the labelled bond market?
• Local vs International Banks: Examining the differences in how local and international banks approach sustainable finance and what this means for the region’s financial landscape.
• Addressing Greenwashing: How can the region address and dispel greenwashing claims in sustainable finance? What safeguards and strategies are needed to ensure genuine progress?
• Hard-to-Abate Industries: Discussing how transition finance accommodates hard-to-abate industries, and exploring the options available for labels that reflect regional realities and are inclusive of these sectors.

Why Attend?

• Gain unique insights from industry leaders and experts in sustainable finance.
• Explore the future of transition finance in the Middle East, with a focus on both challenges and opportunities.
• Learn about emerging principles, standards, and trends in sustainable debt markets.
• Understand how transition finance can support hard-to-abate industries and drive sustainable development.
• Engage with key stakeholders shaping the region’s sustainable finance future.