Kuwait, 29 November 2025: Representing the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Mohammed Jarrah Al-Sabah, Chairman of Kuwait International Bank (KIB) and a Board Member of the Union of Arab Banks, participated in the 2025 Annual Arab Banking Conference held in Beirut. Themed ‘Investing in Construction and the Role of Banks’, the event took place under the patronage of the President of the Lebanese Republic, General Joseph Aoun.
The conference, held on Thursday and Friday, 27-28 November 2025, at the InterContinental Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut, was organized by the Union of Arab Banks in cooperation with the Association of Banks in Lebanon and the World Union of Arab Bankers.
Al-Jarrah’s participation in this important banking event reaffirmed the State of Kuwait’s commitment, through its banking sector, to strengthening joint Arab cooperation and supporting sustainable development strategies across the region. It is also worth noting that he recently took part in a meeting between a delegation from the Union of Arab Banks and President Aoun at the Presidential Palace ahead of the conference.
Commenting on his participation, Al-Jarrah said: “Kuwait’s participation in the Annual Arab Banking Conference carries a clear strategic dimension, as it allows the country to engage directly in discussions on banking regulation, digital transformation, and sustainable finance, all fields rapidly advancing at the international level.”
He explained that Kuwait’s presence, supported by its strong banks with solid capitalization, high asset quality, and robust profitability and liquidity indicators, enables it to present a practical model for sector stability in a globally volatile environment. It also strengthens the country’s influence in shaping joint Arab initiatives and policies.
Al-Jarrah added that active participation in this regional gathering opens new avenues for investment and financing partnerships, whether in infrastructure projects or in the development of Islamic finance products, areas in which Kuwaiti banks have made notable progress. He also emphasized that the conference provides an important opportunity to highlight domestic reforms and compare them against the experiences of other Arab markets, helping to strengthen investor confidence and reinforce Kuwait’s position as one of the key players in the Arab banking landscape.
Al-Jarrah added: “Kuwaiti banks, particularly KIB, are pursuing strategies that strengthen the role of Kuwaiti financial institutions in the region by providing innovative financing solutions and applying international best practices in governance and digital transformation. This role is reinforced through our regional and international partnerships, which aim to support major development initiatives, especially those related to the conference’s main theme, ‘Investing in Construction’. We are committed to leveraging our capabilities to contribute effectively to economic and financial stability across the Arab region and to presenting an advanced model of Islamic banking that can compete globally.”
In a related context, Al-Jarrah noted that the challenges and emerging trends in the banking sector require concerted efforts and more consultative meetings between decision-makers, bankers, and industry professionals. He explained: “The rapid pace of digital transformation, the growing importance of cybersecurity, and the increasing demands of regulatory compliance and anti-money laundering measures all require Arab banks to modernize their operating frameworks and strengthen regional cooperation. These gatherings, which bring together leading Arab banking executives, ministers, and ambassadors, provide an ideal platform for exchanging insights on how to leverage financial technology (FinTech) to expand financial inclusion, enhance corporate governance frameworks, and develop joint strategies to confront global economic shocks”.
He emphasized that “The selection of ‘Investing in Construction and the Role of Banks’ as the theme of the conference reflects the region’s need for effective strategies to support development and reconstruction efforts in several Arab countries. This underscores the importance of continued dialogue to build a shared financial roadmap.”
The first day of the event featured the official opening ceremony, which included several keynote addresses, among them a speech by President Aoun. The program also included a welcome address by the Secretary-General of the Union of Arab Banks, as well as remarks by the Chairman of the Union of Arab Banks, Mohammed Al-Etreby, and the Chairman of the World Union of Arab Bankers, Dr. Joseph Torbey. Held alongside the conference was the 49th Ordinary General Assembly of the Union of Arab Banks.
The conference serves as a culmination of the Union of Arab Banks’ efforts to unify the Arab banking sector and enhance cooperation in addressing current economic and financial challenges. It brought together more than 500 Arab bankers from a wide range of financial and banking institutions across the region to discuss recent developments and the role of the banking sector in supporting growth, reconstruction, and investment attraction.