Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, December 1, 2025 - The IsDB Center of Excellence in Kuala Lumpur (KLCoE) and the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) successfully concluded a regional capacity-building program focused on the IFSB-17 Standard on Core Principles for Islamic Finance Regulation (Banking Segment). Held from 24 to 28 November 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, the intensive five-day program brought together over 20 regulatory and supervisory officials from seven countries, including five IsDB Member Countries (Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, and Pakistan) and two non-Member Countries that are IFSB Members.

The opening session featured remarks by Br. Samer Elesawi, Head of IsDB KLCoE. He welcomed the participants, reiterating the IsDB Group’s longstanding commitment to advancing Islamic finance and underscored its deep institutional relationship with the IFSB. He also highlighted the Bank’s role as a founding member of the IFSB, its representation on the IFSB Council, its support through technical assistance projects, and its active involvement in IFSB working groups. He emphasized the IFSB-17 Standard as a global benchmark for effective Islamic banking regulations and encouraged participants to continue collaborative peer-learning beyond the event.

On his part, Dr. Ghiath Shabsigh, Secretary-General of the IFSB, highlighted the importance of strengthening regulatory and supervisory capacities to ensure the resilience and soundness of the Islamic financial services industry, particularly amid evolving market developments and emerging risks. He affirmed IFSB’s continued commitment to supporting member jurisdictions through standards development, technical guidance, and collaborative capacity-building initiatives.

The program featured an integrated curriculum combining presentations, case studies, and hands-on exercises. Topics covered included the Basel Core Principles, the IFSB’s Core Principles for Islamic Finance Regulation (CPIFR), supervisory review processes, capital and liquidity risk management, corrective actions, enforcement, stress testing, and cross-border supervisory cooperation. The sessions were designed not only to enhance participants’ understanding of global and Islamic finance–specific standards but also to help regulators translate these standards into national supervisory frameworks. The technical sessions were co-led by the IFSB’s Acting Assistant Secretary General, Dr. Abideen Adewale, and KLCoE’s Lead Islamic Finance Specialist, Br. Syed Faiq Najeeb.

The closing session reaffirmed the commitment of both IFSB and KLCoE to continue supporting Member Countries in building capacity and adopting international best practices and IFSB standards. Participants expressed strong appreciation for the program’s depth, practical orientation, and the invaluable opportunity for cross-country sharing of knowledge and expertise.