Jeddah, March 6, 2025 – The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has been honored with the prestigious “Development Finance Institution (DFI) of the Year 2025 Award” at the 9th annual Istanbul Public Private Partnership (PPP) Week held in Türkiye. The event, which is centered around the theme "PPP: More with Less," recognized the IsDB for its outstanding achievements and significant contributions to the public-private partnership (PPP) market. The award serves as a testament to the IsDB’s ongoing commitment to fostering sustainable development and facilitating key infrastructure projects across its member countries.
Upon receiving the award, Dr. Walid Abdelwahab, Director of the IsDB Group Regional Hub in Türkiye, emphasized the bank's distinctive and evolving role in financing sustainable infrastructure projects. He noted that the IsDB's investment strategy is carefully aligned with the principles of Islamic Sharia, ensuring that its financial initiatives not only support the development of critical infrastructure but also adhere to ethical, environmental, and socio-economic standards. This alignment with Sharia principles underscores the IsDB's holistic approach to development, where financial investments are harmonized with the broader goals of social responsibility and environmental sustainability.
Dr. Abdelwahab also highlighted the bank's remarkable success in climate finance, noting that the IsDB had surpassed its climate finance goal by dedicating more than 40% of its 2024 funding to climate investments. This achievement positions the IsDB as a key player in global efforts to address climate change, setting a strong example for other development finance institutions worldwide. The bank’s focus on climate finance is in line with global standards and demonstrates its commitment to the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to environmental sustainability and climate action.
The award is a reflection of the IsDB's active engagement in promoting public-private partnerships, an essential model for driving infrastructure development in member countries. Through strategic investments and partnerships, the IsDB has become a key enabler of large-scale projects that not only meet the growing infrastructure needs of its member countries but also contribute to long-term economic growth and job creation. The IsDB continues to work alongside governments, private sector partners, and international institutions to create innovative financing solutions that address the challenges of sustainable development.
In its ongoing efforts, the IsDB remains committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of millions by fostering inclusive and sustainable growth, reinforcing its position as a leading development finance institution in the global financial landscape. The recognition at the Istanbul PPP Week further cements the IsDB’s role in shaping the future of infrastructure financing and its unwavering dedication to contributing to global development objectives.