Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 19 January 2026 — The Islamic Development Bank Center of Excellence in Kuala Lumpur (IsDB KLCoE) and the World Bank Group’s Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Finance Hub in Malaysia hosted a high-level thought leadership dialogue last week on 13^th January, to align Islamic finance strategies with Malaysia’s climate and development ambitions.

The session, held at Bank Negara Malaysia’s Sasana Kijang Conference Hall, centered on the World Bank-IsDB joint report, "Islamic Finance and Climate Agenda," and its role in supporting the Government of Malaysia’s 13th Malaysia Plan 2026–2030 (13MP). The event marked the official Malaysian launch of the report, following its initial global soft launch at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. Nearly 200 senior policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders attended the dialogue to explore how Shariah-compliant instruments can accelerate a "just transition."

Ms. Judith Green, Country Manager for Malaysia, World Bank Group, opened the event by emphasizing that meaningful climate action requires partnerships grounded in shared purpose. She noted that Islamic finance’s core principle of risk-sharing is uniquely suited for large-scale climate strategies.

In his keynote address, Mr. Adnan Zaylani Mohamed Zahid, Deputy Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, stressed that innovation, robust governance, and regulatory readiness are essential to mobilizing transition finance for national development.

Key findings and recommendations from the WB-IsDB report were presented by Mr. Syed Faiq Najeeb, Lead Islamic Finance Specialist at IsDB KLCoE. This was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Ms. Shahira Johan (World Bank), featuring renowned panelists:

• Mr. Affendi Rashdi, Director General of Labuan Financial Services Authority.
• Ms. Hajjah Ariffa Ariffin, Chief Corporate Officer of Lembaga Zakat Selangor.
• Datuk Muzaffar Hisham, Group CEO of Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad.
• Mr. Saiful Adib Abdul Munaff, Acting Group CEO of Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation.

The panel focused on expanding access to risk-sharing, financing, and Takaful solutions for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), a central pillar of the 13MP’s inclusive growth agenda.

The session concluded with remarks by Mr. Samer Elesawi, Head of IsDB KLCoE, who reaffirmed the commitment of the IsDB and the World Bank to advancing policy-aligned solutions. He emphasized He emphasized that the discussions moved beyond concepts, showcasing how Islamic finance can drive practical, scalable solutions that support climate action and inclusive growth.