First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has taken a significant leap toward environmental sustainability by pledging Dh100 billion to support water infrastructure and blue economy initiatives between 2026 and 2035. This initiative, which aligns with the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, makes FAB the first bank in the Middle East and North Africa to sign the UN Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles. By directing capital toward water reuse, innovative technologies, and resilient infrastructure, the bank aims to address the critical global funding gap in water resources ahead of the UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi.

This major commitment is not an isolated pledge but part of FAB’s broader goal to provide Dh500 billion in sustainable financing by 2030, a target that is already nearly 80 percent complete. Abdulla Balalaa, the UAE’s Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, praised the move, calling on other financial institutions to similarly prioritize water security in their investment and risk-management frameworks. As the UAE prepares to co-host the 2026 UN Water Conference, this financial milestone highlights the vital role that the private banking sector plays in fostering economic stability and long-term sustainability across the region.