Title: Press Release: The Capital Markets Authority Organized an Awareness Workshop with the Participation of KPMG on the Principles of Sustainability Reports and Best Practices for Listed Companies in the Exchange

Kuwait, 27 May 2025 – The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) organized an awareness workshop titled “Principles of Sustainability Reports and Best Practices”, in cooperation with KPMG Advisory Office W.L.L. The workshop was hosted by Boursa Kuwait in Khalid Al-Kharafi auditorium and attended by representatives of listed companies in the Exchange and those interested in environmental, social, and institutional governance sustainability, and it was within the framework of the CMA’s keenness to raise awareness of listed companies in Boursa Kuwait of the requirements and practices relating to sustainability and its disclosure in light of the recent international directives.

The event opened with a speech by Ms. Dalal Mohammed Behbehani – Listing and Products Section Manager at Markets Regulation Department at the CMA, in which she indicated CMA’s directive towards enhancing transparency and the company’s disclosure of environmental, social, and institutional governance (ESG) sustainability reports, and the CMA’s role of following the best practices and developing the regulations of sustainability reports in order to support the markets efficiency and enhance investors’ confidence.

Furthermore, Dr. Rasheed Al-Qenae - Chairman of the Board of Directors of KPMG Middle East and South Asia region and the Managing Partner of KPMG in Kuwait made a speech in which he emphasized on the importance of merging sustainability within the institutional strategy and the role of KMPG in enabling institutions to implement the international standards efficiently.

The event included three main sessions presented by KMPG experts
• The first session, presented by Mr. Kaylan Subramanian and Mr. Ali Abbas from KMPG, discussed the importance of preparing clear justifications to adopt sustainability through highlighting the opportunities and the risks related to it, governance mechanisms, and the quality of disclosures.
o Explaining how sustainability creates additional value and reduces risks.
o The role of disclosing such reports in creating a value at the market.
o Readiness of the regulations and legislations to ingest the data included in such reports.
o Ensuring the quality of data included in the sustainability reports. 

• The second session, presented by Mr. Kalyan Subramanian and Mr. Naren Pasupalati from KPMG, focused on merging the sustainability reports within the institutional governance, and recognizing the most prominent international standards such as GRI, ISSB, etc.

• The third session, presented by KMPG, discussed the most prominent international practices of analyzing the data of sustainability and outlined realistic practical models and the analyses’ role in measuring performance and directing resolutions.

The event concluded with an open panel session with the audience and witnessed interaction and exchange of opinions and enquiries concerning the practical challenges facing listed companies in the implementation of disclosure requirements related to sustainability. The discussion also included the importance of balancing between the local framework and international standards and the future regulatory needs for adopting a comprehensive sustainability model that enhances the business environment in the State of Kuwait.

This workshop is part of series of initiatives driven by the CMA in order to enhance the culture of sustainability and activate the role of the financial sector in achieving balance between the companies’ performance as economic institutions and the social and environmental responsibility.
In conclusion, the CMA expresses its gratitude to KMPG Office and its team for their valuable contribution, and it thanks all the audience and speakers for their interaction and participation in the success of this event.

Ends-
Notes to Editors:
The Capital Markets Authority was established pursuant to Law No. 7/2010, approved by the Kuwaiti Parliament in February 2010. Pursuant to the Law, the CMA shall regulate and supervise the securities activities, achieve transparency and fairness, observe listed companies’ execution of Corporate Governance regulations, and protect investors from unfair practices which violate the CMA's Law.
Furthermore, the Law's provisions stipulate the supervision of mergers, acquisitions, and disclosure operations. The CMA also aims to provide awareness programs related to securities activities.
For further information, please contact:
Public Relations & Media Office
Tel: 1888898
Email: pr-media@cma.gov.kw