CEO of Qatar International Islamic Bank, Dr. Abdulbasit Ahmed Al-Shaibei with other officials during the forum.
Doha, Qatar: 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.
