The Saudi First Bank, one of the leading banks in the Kingdom, announced that it has obtained the ISO 20400 certification for sustainable procurement, becoming the first bank in the Middle East and Africa and the 42nd worldwide to receive this international recognition from the British Standards Institution. This achievement covers all stages from strategic vision to operational implementation. It highlights the bank’s commitment to sustainability and alignment with international standards by integrating sustainable practices into procurement processes.

ISO 20400, developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), is a globally recognized framework for integrating sustainability into procurement operations. Its guidelines focus on governance, business practices, human rights, environmental impact, and professional conduct throughout the supply chain.

The evaluation process was conducted in cooperation with the British Standards Institution, a company specializing in business improvement and standards and a founding member of the International Organization for Standardization. The assessment included a comprehensive review of the frameworks, strategies, and implementation mechanisms adopted in the bank’s procurement management to measure the integration of sustainability principles within these processes.

Based on the evaluation results, the Saudi First Bank enhanced its integration of sustainability into procurement decision-making processes. It also developed communication practices with suppliers and adopted more effective methods in ethical procurement, aligning with the bank’s goals in environmental, social, and corporate governance practices. This step supports the bank’s long-term strategy to promote responsible practices and transparent supply chain management.

On this occasion, Ghada Al-Jarbou, Chief Operating Officer at the Saudi First Bank, commented: “Obtaining the ISO 20400 certification represents an important step towards embedding sustainability within the bank’s procurement operations. This achievement confirms our commitment to responsible purchasing and enhances our ability to engage suppliers in line with the bank’s sustainability priorities and Saudi Vision 2030.” Elias Karamboukis, Sales and Business Director for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa at the British Standards Institution, said: “There is a great opportunity for banks and other financial institutions to impact sustainability through their lending, investment, and governance practices. It is wonderful to see the Saudi First Bank leading the way by obtaining the ISO 20400 certification for sustainable procurement, proving that the bank makes conscious decisions regarding its environmental, social, and economic impact, contributing to accelerating progress towards a more sustainable world. We congratulate the Saudi First Bank team on this achievement.”