The 2025 Sustainability Forum Middle East, held in Bahrain’s capital city of Manama, has officially wrapped up after two impactful days of climate-focused discussions, bold commitments, and innovative strategies aimed at advancing the Middle East’s transition to a more sustainable future.
Under the prestigious patronage of H.E. Dr. Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, Bahrain’s Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, the forum brought together over 400 regional and international experts, corporate leaders, financiers, and policymakers. The event aimed to accelerate climate and energy resilience efforts across the region — with a strong focus on mobilizing both action and investment.
The 2025 edition of the forum, now in its third year, proved to be a milestone moment for the Middle East’s growing climate ambitions.
Uniting Business, Policy, and Innovation
Themed around “Mobilizing Action and Investment for Climate and Energy Resilience,” the forum featured over 50 speakers from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, as well as thought leaders from Europe, the UK, the United States, and Brazil. Together, they tackled a range of urgent sustainability issues, from aligning business strategies with net-zero goals to enhancing climate-related financial frameworks and regulatory compliance.
Panel discussions and keynote speeches explored critical topics such as transitioning away from fossil fuels, building green infrastructure, investing in renewable energy, and scaling up sustainable finance tools.
A core focus was on the region’s role in delivering meaningful climate outcomes between COP29, held in Azerbaijan, and the upcoming COP30, which will be hosted in Brazil. Many speakers stressed the need for regional coordination, clear policy support, and stronger private sector involvement to meet both national and international climate goals.
Spotlight on Sustainable Finance: Anthesis Group Leads the Conversation
A major highlight of the event was a specialized workshop led by Damian Regan, Director at Anthesis Group and the company’s Sustainability Services Leader for the Middle East. In a session titled “Sustainable Finance – Key Steps to Create an Effective ESG Strategy,” Regan guided attendees through practical tools to align financial systems with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.
He emphasized the growing importance of ESG integration for businesses aiming to attract sustainable investment and long-term stakeholder trust. His session provided guidance on leveraging green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, and performance-based financial mechanisms to support environmental targets.
Joining Regan in a robust panel discussion were Eléonore Lauret from Anthesis Group, ESG specialist Jessica Robinson from Solve Strategies, and Lina Osman of Standard Chartered Bank. The conversation highlighted challenges in maintaining transparency, avoiding greenwashing, and meeting the evolving expectations of regulators, investors, and the wider public.
The group also shared case studies on how businesses can build and execute credible ESG strategies, with particular attention to industries that are traditionally carbon-intensive.
Private Sector Commitments and Strategic Partnerships
Another key feature of the forum was the collaboration between corporate and governmental stakeholders. Several major companies used the event to underline their sustainability commitments, including Al Areen Holding, which participated as a Forum Partner.
Al Areen Holding’s flagship project, the Areen Master Development, was showcased as an example of sustainable real estate planning — with a strong emphasis on green building practices, energy-efficient infrastructure, and eco-conscious community design.
Standard Chartered Bank and Bapco Energies also played prominent roles in shaping discussions around sustainable finance, carbon transition strategies, and inclusive investment models. Their input emphasized the need for banks and energy firms to work hand-in-hand with governments and the public sector to enable impactful climate solutions.
The forum’s Learning Partner, Impact Learning and Development, provided expertise in capacity building, highlighting the role of training and upskilling in enabling a workforce ready to support the green transition.
Tackling Challenges Unique to the Region
The forum addressed the distinct environmental and economic challenges faced by Gulf and Middle Eastern countries. These include extreme heat, water scarcity, high energy demand, and a strong reliance on oil exports.
Speakers acknowledged that while the region is vulnerable to climate change, it is also uniquely positioned to lead with innovative, scalable solutions — from solar and hydrogen energy projects to smart city technologies and circular economy models.
Many panelists also focused on the importance of inclusive growth. Sustainability, they argued, must benefit all communities — particularly women, youth, and vulnerable populations — if it is to be truly effective.
The concept of a “just transition” was discussed repeatedly: a fair shift to a green economy that ensures social equity, job creation, and long-term prosperity.
A Platform for Future-Focused Action
Organized by FinMark Communications, the Bahrain Sustainability Forum has quickly become one of the most important regional platforms for driving environmental action.
Through its growing network of partners and recurring engagement with public and private entities, the forum is helping to shape climate leadership in the MENA region. It also reinforces Bahrain’s position as a key hub for sustainability dialogue, thought leadership, and green investment.
Participants left with a clear message: business as usual is no longer an option. Real climate resilience will require bold commitments, collaborative thinking, and strategic financing — all of which were on full display at this year’s event.
As the world looks ahead to COP30 and beyond, the insights shared at the Bahrain Sustainability Forum 2025 will continue to shape policy, influence markets, and inspire sustainable innovation across the region.
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