First Abu Dhabi Bank has issued its second blue bond this year, bringing its total to $70 million, as part of the UAE’s efforts to finance marine and water sustainability projects ahead of international conservation events.
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has really stepped up its game in sustainable finance, especially in the blue bond market, by issuing its second such bond this year. This new issuance pushes the total amount of its blue bonds to around $70 million. Remember, this follows their initial $50 million, five-year blue bond launched back in August—actually, it was the first blue bond ever issued by a financial institution in the Gulf region.
Now, just to clarify, blue bonds are a specialized part of sustainable finance, targeted at funding projects designed to protect marine ecosystems and enhance water management systems. FAB’s latest $20 million, three-year blue bond, which is listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, is a clear example of their focus here. They didn’t specify who the client is or go into all the financial details, but they did say that the money will go toward significant water and marine projects that align with the UAE’s national sustainability goals.
Some of these projects involve wastewater treatment plants—total capacity around 430,000 cubic meters a day—that will help recycle water for irrigation in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. They’re also backing a desalination plant powered by renewable energy, producing about 37 million liters of water each day, supported by 410,000 MWh of clean energy annually and 700 MWh of battery storage. Plus, these initiatives are subject to strict ESG assessments and continuous monitoring, ensuring they deliver genuine environmental and social benefits.
These blue bond initiatives fit into the UAE Water Agenda 2036, a strategic plan aimed at smart water management and building resilience against environmental challenges. This approach also supports the country’s broader sustainability and environmental goals—a key step as Abu Dhabi prepares for big international events like the IUCN World Conservation Congress in October 2025 and the UN Water Conference scheduled for December 2026.
Shargiil Bashir, FAB’s Group Chief Sustainability Officer, emphasized the bank’s dedication to mobilizing capital for climate-resilient infrastructure. Speaking at the time of their second bond issuance, he pointed out FAB’s aim to be a regional leader in the blue economy and sustainable finance innovation. “This milestone is pretty timely, especially as Abu Dhabi gears up to host the IUCN Congress, where FAB is proud to be the Principal and Official Banking Partner, actively shaping the blue economy agenda,” Bashir said. He also mentioned that these blue bonds help clients contribute to real, positive climate outcomes through sustainable investments.
Their first blue bond, issued in HKD 390 million (roughly $50 million), was quite notable because it was anchored by an Article 9 (Dark Green) investor, demonstrating a rising global interest in blue-labelled financial products that focus on ocean and water sustainability. It followed the Green Bond Principles from the International Capital Market Association and stuck to the bank’s Sustainable Finance Framework 2023. Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank was the sole dealer—this shows how investor appetite for blue finance, nature conservation, and biodiversity is growing among global asset managers.
Now, blue bonds are still relatively new, but they’re already making a real impact worldwide. They’re primarily used to conserve marine resources, protect coastlines, revive blue carbon ecosystems like mangroves and wetlands, and promote sustainable fisheries. Despite their ecological importance, investments in marine-focused projects have historically been underfunded within sustainable finance—that’s an issue FAB is trying to help resolve.
In 2023, FAB also announced plans to ramp up its overall sustainable finance portfolio by about 80%, aiming for a total of $135 billion. The goal here is to accelerate investments in the low-carbon economy and maximize social impact. Interestingly enough, the bank’s shares reflect investor confidence—recently closing at AED 16.36, which is about a 30% increase so far this year, even with small daily dips.
All in all, FAB’s blue bond issuances represent a pretty groundbreaking move for the Gulf region in sustainable finance. They’re setting new standards for blending innovative financial tools with urgent environmental needs. As Abu Dhabi positions itself as a hub for global conservation efforts, these kinds of financial products will be instrumental in turning policy promises into real-world outcomes. By investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, FAB isn’t just growing its business—it’s also playing a bigger role in regional and global efforts to support sustainable development and the preservation of vital water and marine ecosystems.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://thefinanceworld.com/abu-dhabi-listed-fab-expands-blue-bond-issuances-to-70m/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.bankfab.com/en-ae/about-fab/group/in-the-media/fab-first-financial-institution-in-the-gulf-to-issue-a-blue-bond – First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has become the first financial institution in the Gulf to issue a Blue Bond, raising HKD 390 million (USD 50 million) through a five-year private placement. This issuance aligns with FAB’s Sustainable Finance Framework 2023 and the International Capital Market Association Green Bond Principles, supporting the UAE Water Agenda 2036 and the protection of vital water resources and the blue economy. The bond proceeds will fund projects that protect marine ecosystems, promote sustainable water management, and support biodiversity, including clean water infrastructure, wetland and mangrove rehabilitation, and sustainable fisheries. The issuance also aligns with the UAE’s broader environmental objectives, particularly as Abu Dhabi prepares to host the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Congress in October 2025 and the United Nations Water Conference in December 2026. Shargiil Bashir, Chief Sustainability Officer at FAB, emphasized the bank’s commitment to shaping the future by directing capital to protect vital water resources and marine ecosystems, setting a precedent for sustainable finance in the region. Tanguy Claquin, Global Head of Sustainability at Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, highlighted the growing appetite from global asset managers to direct capital towards new frontiers in sustainable finance, such as the blue economy, nature, and biodiversity. Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank acted as Sole Dealer in the execution of this pioneering transaction.
- https://www.gulftoday.ae/business/2025/08/28/fab-issues-50-million-5-year-blue-bond – First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has successfully issued a $50 million five-year Blue Bond, marking the first-ever Blue Bond issued by a financial institution in the Gulf countries. The bond, issued via a private placement, was anchored by an Article 9 (Dark Green) investor seeking specific blue-labelled instruments. The Blue Bond is aligned with FAB’s Sustainable Finance Framework 2023 and International Capital Market Association Green Bond Principles. The issuance supports the UAE Water Agenda 2036 to promote innovation and sustainable infrastructure across critical marine ecosystems. It also aligns with the country’s broader environmental objectives, particularly as Abu Dhabi prepares to host the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Congress in October 2025 and the United Nations Water Conference in December 2026. Blue bonds are a growing category of sustainable finance instruments designed to advance and promote water-related environmental objectives. As stewards of capital, financial institutions play a key role in mobilising funding toward the protection of marine ecosystems and sustainable water management, areas historically underfunded despite their global significance.
- https://www.bankfab.com/en-ae/about-fab/group/in-the-media/fab-issues-blue-bond – First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has successfully issued its second Blue Bond, a USD 20 million three-year instrument, bringing its total Blue Bond issuances to USD 70 million. This follows the bank’s inaugural Blue Bond in August 2025, underscoring the strong momentum behind its commitment to financing ocean and water-related projects that support climate resilience and environmental sustainability. Blue Bonds remain a nascent and impactful instrument globally, designed to promote investment in initiatives aiming to conserve marine resources, protect coastlines, and enhance blue carbon ecosystems. FAB’s successive issuance reflects its growing ambition to innovate within the sustainable finance space and to lead regional efforts toward a blue economy. With this second Blue Bond, FAB brings its total Blue Bond issuances to USD 70 million, marking a significant milestone for the bank’s pioneering blue finance. Aligned with FAB’s Sustainable Finance Framework 2023 and ICMA Green Bond Principles, net proceeds will exclusively support landmark water and marine projects, including wastewater treatment facilities now delivering a daily capacity of 430,000 cubic meters, enabling water recycling for irrigation across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, and a newly funded desalination facility producing 37 million liters per day, powered by renewable energy sources (410,000 MWh/year) and 700 MWh of battery storage. All projects are subject to rigorous ESG risk assessment and ongoing monitoring to guarantee environmental and social impact. These initiatives contribute directly to the UAE Water Agenda 2036 and further advance the country’s environmental and sustainable development commitments. Shargiil Bashir, Group Chief Sustainability Officer at FAB, said: “This second Blue Bond shows FAB’s ongoing commitment to supporting water resilience and marine protection across the UAE. With USD 70 million now raised, we’re setting new standards for sustainable finance in the region. This milestone is especially timely, as Abu Dhabi prepares to host the IUCN World Conservation Congress, where FAB is proud to serve as Principal and Official Banking Partner and an active partner in shaping the blue economy agenda. At IUCN, discussions will focus on the future of the blue economy, and FAB is honored not only to contribute as a partner but also to lead through tangible actions, as demonstrated by this issuance. This milestone reflects our leadership in sustainable finance and our determination to create tangible environmental impact. Importantly, it also enables our clients to directly contribute to climate-positive outcomes through their investments. By mobilising capital toward climate-resilient infrastructure, we are shaping a more inclusive and sustainable financial future where both institutions and their clients play a critical role in driving environmental progress.”
- https://en.aletihad.ae/news/business/4601258/fab-issues–50m-blue-bond–first-gulf-financial-institution – First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has become the first financial institution in the Gulf to issue a Blue Bond, marking a significant milestone in sustainable finance. The bank successfully raised HKD 390 million ($50 million) through a five-year private placement anchored by a “dark green” Article 9 investor. The bond, aligned with FAB’s Sustainable Finance Framework and international green bond principles, will direct capital towards projects that protect marine ecosystems, promote sustainable water management, and support biodiversity, including clean water infrastructure, wetland and mangrove rehabilitation, and sustainable fisheries. FAB said the issuance supports the UAE Water Agenda 2036 and comes as Abu Dhabi prepares to host the IUCN Congress in October 2025 and the UN Water Conference in 2026.
- https://www.onearabia.me/business/fab-issues-usd-50-million-blue-bond-011-120517.html – First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has issued a HKD 390 million ($50 million) Blue Bond with a five-year term. This marks the first Blue Bond by a financial institution in the Gulf region. The issuance underscores FAB’s leadership in sustainable finance, aligning with the UAE’s focus on protecting water resources and promoting the blue economy. The bond was issued through a private placement, anchored by an Article 9 (Dark Green) investor seeking blue-labelled instruments. It aligns with FAB’s Sustainable Finance Framework 2023 and International Capital Market Association Green Bond Principles. This initiative supports the UAE Water Agenda 2036, fostering innovation and sustainable infrastructure for marine ecosystems. The Blue Bond aligns with broader environmental goals, especially as Abu Dhabi prepares for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Congress in October 2025 and the United Nations Water Conference in December 2026.
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The narrative reports on FAB’s second Blue Bond issuance of $20 million, following the inaugural $50 million bond in August 2025. The earliest known publication date for the August issuance is August 28, 2025. The October 9, 2025, report is the most recent, indicating high freshness. No evidence of recycled content or republishing across low-quality sites was found. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The update includes new data, justifying a higher freshness score. Content has not been recycled or duplicated within a 7-day window.
