Manama: Bahrain Bourse (BHB), a Licensed Exchange authorized by the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), has announced the receipt of two prestigious accolades recognizing its leadership in sustainability. The Exchange has been named "Most Sustainable Stock Exchange in the GCC Region" by World Finance and awarded the "Excellence in Sustainable Market Development Bahrain 2025" title by International Business Magazine.
According to Bahrain News Agency, these recognitions highlight Bahrain Bourse's commitment to advancing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles across the capital markets landscape. The Exchange's initiatives align with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030, which integrates sustainability and responsible economic development into national progress.
In recent years, Bahrain Bourse has introduced various initiatives to promote ESG integration and sustainable financial practices. In 2019, the Exchange became a part of the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative, marking the start of a concerted effort to foster transparent and responsible markets. The following year, Bahrain Bourse issued a Voluntary ESG Reporting Guideline to help listed companies enhance their disclosure practices. In 2021, the formation of the Bahrain Bourse's ESG Committee strengthened governance and oversight of its sustainability agenda, further supported by the publication of the Guide to Sustainable Finance - Evolving Bahrain's ESG Landscape and Capital Markets, a foundational reference for market participants.
In 2023, Bahrain Bourse worked with regional counterparts under the GCC Exchanges Committee to introduce unified ESG metrics across GCC exchanges for greater consistency and comparability among investors. The Exchange's commitment to climate-aligned finance was reinforced in 2024 through its membership in the Net Zero Financial Service Providers Alliance and the issuance of its first Net Zero Report for the period ending December 2024. That same year, Bahrain Bourse updated its Listing Rules to incorporate mandatory ESG reporting requirements in line with the 'ESG Requirement Module' under the Common Volume of the CBB Rulebook.
Shaikh Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, CEO of Bahrain Bourse, stated that these awards reflect the Exchange's strategic objectives to advance responsible investment, enhance ESG transparency, and align capital market expansion with global sustainability targets. He emphasized the organization's ongoing collaboration with stakeholders to develop a more inclusive and resilient financial ecosystem.
These accolades underscore Bahrain Bourse's pivotal role in shaping the future of sustainable finance in the region while contributing to the Kingdom's broader economic and environmental objectives.