First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the UAE’s global bank and one of the world’s largest financial institutions, has become the first bank in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to sign the UN Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles, and establish a AED100 billion ($27.23) blue finance target to support water and blue economy-related financing between 2026 and 2035.
By joining the UN Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles, FAB is aligning its financing activities with a globally recognised framework that promotes the sustainable use of water resources, while encouraging financial institutions to integrate water-related risks and opportunities into decision-making, the bank said.
The bank’s dedicated blue finance target will support financing for sustainable water infrastructure and blue economy projects, making FAB the first bank in the UAE and the region to establish a dedicated water-related financing target.
Aligned with the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, which aims to ensure sustainable access to water during normal and emergency conditions, the announcement comes as the UAE prepares to host the UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi in December 2026. As water security becomes an increasingly strategic priority, the financial sector is expected to play an important role in mobilising capital towards water-related solutions, including sustainable infrastructure, water reuse, advanced technologies and innovation.
Abdulla Balalaa, the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability at the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commended FAB’s leadership, stating: “FAB’s commitment to mobilise capital for blue finance is a strong example of the financial sector leadership that water now requires. Water underpins economic growth, resilience, and stability, yet it remains critically underfinanced. Ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference, we encourage financial institutions in the UAE and globally to follow this example, putting water at the centre of investment and risk management decisions, and unlocking the capital needed for a resilient and sustainable future”.
Hana Al Rostamani, Group Chief Executive Officer of FAB, said: “Water security is a defining sustainability priority for the UAE, the region, and the global economy. By becoming the first bank in MENA to join the UN Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles and committing AED 100 billion to blue finance, FAB is translating that priority into action at scale. Building on our track record in water-related financing, this commitment supports the UAE's long-term water security ambitions and reinforces FAB’s leadership in sustainable finance, contributing to a more resilient, nature-positive future for the region.”
The dedicated AED100 billion blue finance target forms part of, and counts towards, FAB’s existing AED500 billion sustainable finance commitment to 2030, rather than representing an additional standalone target. It also supports the bank’s long-term sustainable finance ambitions beyond 2030.
FAB’s established track record in water-related financing anchors the target, including the issuance of the region’s first blue bond by a financial institution, with cumulative issuances totalling $70 million. It also reflects FAB’s continued leadership in advancing dialogue on water and the ocean economy, most recently through its roundtable convened during London Climate Action Week.
As of H1 2026, FAB has facilitated AED395 billion in sustainable and transition financing, achieving 79% of its AED500 billion 2030 target, underscoring the scale of its sustainable finance platform, the bank said. - TradeArabia News Service
