Image Credit : Sustainability Forum Middle East
Manama – Sustainability Forum Middle East has announced H.E. Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, United Nations Special Envoy on Financing Sustainable Development, as the Keynote Speaker for its fourth edition, scheduled for January 27–28, 2026, at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay. The Forum will take place in the presence of H.E. Dr. Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, and is supported by the Supreme Council for Environment.
Dr. Mohieldin will deliver the opening keynote address titled “In a New Climate Economy,” offering forward-looking perspectives on innovation, energy systems, and the transformation of capital. Drawing on more than three decades of leadership in global finance, development, and climate diplomacy, his address will outline how regional economies can accelerate sustainable growth, mobilise investment, and enhance competitiveness amid shifting global dynamics.
A globally respected economist with over 30 years of experience, H.E. Dr. Mohieldin currently serves as the UN Special Envoy on Financing Sustainable Development and co-leads the UN Secretary-General’s Expert Group on Debt Solutions. His distinguished career includes senior roles such as Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund, Senior Vice President at the World Bank Group, and Egypt’s first Minister of Investment. He also previously served as the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP27.
The 2026 Forum will be held under the theme “Advancing Alignment, Innovation, and Implementation for Energy and Climate Transformation.” It is expected to convene more than 400 leaders from government, finance, industry, academia, and technology. The programme will also feature a Special Address by H.E. Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, focusing on regional cooperation and progress in climate action, energy transition, and economic competitiveness.
Spanning two days, the Forum will offer a comprehensive agenda, including a high-level National Vision panel bringing together ministers and senior government officials to discuss pathways for strengthening national competitiveness, climate preparedness, and long-term economic resilience.
Additional sessions will gather diplomats, business executives, financiers, industrial specialists, and technology innovators to examine climate-aligned business models, transition finance, energy transition and industrial decarbonisation, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, carbon and biodiversity markets, and workforce development for the green economy.
The programme will also include a series of practical, high-impact workshops delivered by KPMG, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Anthesis Group. These workshops are designed to equip organisations with actionable tools to integrate climate considerations into strategy, reporting, operations, and transition planning.
The 2026 edition of Sustainability Forum Middle East is supported by Lead Partners SAFA and Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK). The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) serves as Strategic Partner, with Forum Partners including Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (ASRY), Bahrain Ship Repairing and Engineering Company (BASREC), Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill (GARMCO), and the American Chamber of Commerce Bahrain (AmCham Bahrain). Impact for Learning & Development joins as Learning Partner, while Arab News and Al Ayam are Media Partners, and The Butterfly Effect serves as Marketing Partner.
