Dr. Al-Shaibei: Qatar’s banking sector is strong and resilient, ranking among the most important in the region and globally.

QIIB hosted the Annual Chief Risk Officers Forum for banks operating in the Middle East, organised in collaboration with the Institute of International Finance (IIF).

This initiative reflects QIIB’s commitment to promoting Islamic banking and its role in advancing the financial industry, while also reinforcing Qatar’s position as a key regional and global banking hub.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Abdulbasit Ahmed al-Shaibei, CEO, Qatar International Islamic Bank, welcomed the distinguished participants, stating “We are honoured at QIIB to host this important forum as a leading Qatari banking institution and a vital part of a strong and resilient banking sector that has earned a prominent position regionally and internationally.”

Dr. al-Shaibei noted, “This gathering, held in collaboration with IIF, comes at a critical time amid profound and far-reaching transformations in the global financial landscape.

“The regulatory agenda in the banking sector continues to evolve, particularly with the ongoing global implementation of Basel III reforms. These changes are reshaping capital and risk frameworks, ultimately enhancing regulation, supervision, and risk management across the industry.”

Dr. al-Shaibei also highlighted the transformative role of technology, saying “We are witnessing the growing use of advanced technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, across a wide range of banking operations, from credit assessment and fraud detection to customer service and regulatory compliance. While these innovations present significant opportunities, they also call for thoughtful regulatory responses.”

He emphasised, “These significant developments in the banking sector are occurring amid challenging global conditions, including shifts in trade policies, market volatility, disruptions in supply chains, and changes in global economic balances. All of these factors are contributing to elevated risk levels, which demand greater agility and foresight from financial institutions to navigate evolving circumstances.”

He expressed hope the that the discussions and workshops held during the Forum will yield valuable outcomes that contribute meaningfully to the advancement of risk management practices, and help develop effective responses to potential risks, whether anticipated or unexpected.”

The Forum addressed a wide range of key topics in risk management, including regulatory and supervisory developments in the State of Qatar, global regulatory trends and their implications for banks, particularly in relation to Basel III amendments, as well as the growing focus on climate risk regulation, sustainable finance, digital finance, and the oversight of non-bank financial institutions. Geopolitical risks and their impact on the banking sector were also explored.

Participants reviewed key findings from the latest International IIF Annual Risk Management Survey, including insights and analysis from banks across the region. The Forum also discussed major emerging risk trends and how banks in the MENA region are responding to them.

The one-day forum also explored the applications of artificial intelligence in the financial services sector. Discussions focused on how banks and financial institutions are leveraging AI across various domains, including credit assessment, fraud detection, customer service, and regulatory compliance. The Forum examined key lessons learned and highlighted best practices for the successful integration of AI into risk management frameworks.

Attendees also examined strategies for managing various types of risk concentrations and explored methods for diversification and risk mitigation. Discussions extended to efforts aimed at advancing digital banking and fintech innovation, automation in banking operations, and the associated risks and mitigation strategies.

Participants shared insights into their institutions’ experiences in operational resilience and business continuity, including third-party and supplier risk management. The Forum also addressed how large, geographically diverse banking groups manage risks across international subsidiaries and group-wide operations.

Additional discussions covered liquidity risk, with participants exchanging international and regional experiences and outlining best practices for managing and mitigating such risks effectively.