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QNB Group said in a statement that it claimed the best bank for promoting gender diversity and the best bank for issuing green, social and sustainable bonds at the MEED MENA Banking Excellence Corporate and Investment Awards 2026. The awards recognise outstanding performance in corporate and investment banking across the Middle East and North Africa, with MEED judging entries on innovation, impact and measurable outcomes. The lender, which operates as one of the largest financial institutions in the region, integrated gender equality principles into its governance structures, leadership pipelines and talent strategies to secure the diversity honour.
Figures released by QNB Group show that women comprised 49 percent of its overall workforce at the end of 2025. They occupied 20 percent of executive positions, 27 percent of senior management roles and 37 percent of management posts linked to revenue-generating activities. Qatari women accounted for 65 percent of the bank’s national employees, illustrating progress in cultivating local female leadership.
The award for sustainable bonds underscores QNB Group’s role in directing capital toward environmental and social objectives, according to the statement. The bank arranged multiple landmark transactions during the assessment period, including a 750 million euro green bond that stood as the largest euro-denominated green issuance by a GCC bank when launched. It also executed innovative social bonds and climate transition instruments through its international network.
Najla Ibrahim Al-Mutawa, executive vice president of strategy and business development at QNB Group, said in the statement, “We are proud to receive these two prestigious awards from MEED magazine, as they reflect QNB Group’s ongoing commitment to supporting inclusive growth and sustainable finance.” Al-Mutawa noted that the recognitions affirm the bank’s approach to embedding environmental, social and governance standards throughout its activities. The statement emphasised that these efforts strengthen QNB’s position as a leading regional financial institution focused on responsible practices.
Bloomberg data on GCC debt markets indicate that sustainable bond issuance has accelerated in recent years as issuers align with investor appetite for ESG-compliant instruments. QNB Group’s transactions have contributed to this expansion by financing projects that support Qatar’s national development priorities and broader regional sustainability goals. The bank maintains a presence in more than 30 countries, according to its corporate disclosures, allowing it to channel cross-border capital into sustainable initiatives.
The MEED MENA Banking Excellence Awards have become a benchmark for financial sector performance since their inception, drawing participation from leading banks across the region. QNB Group’s dual wins add to a series of accolades it has collected in 2026 spanning sustainability, digital transformation and corporate banking categories. Industry observers track such honours as indicators of competitive positioning in an increasingly ESG-focused banking landscape.
