The Sustainable Apparel Forum organised by the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE) in collaboration with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, has been instrumental in fostering conversations on pivotal topics such as climate action, environmental preservation, and the promotion of fair labour conditions.
Throughout its duration, the forum engaged more than 550 delegates from both national and international backgrounds.
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The event agenda was packed with a variety of sessions, including an opening ceremony, four panel discussions, five presentations, and two breakout sessions. These were led by more than 40 distinguished speakers and 20 innovators from around the world.
Keynote speakers at the opening ceremony included Syeda Rizwana Hasan from the Ministry of environment, forests, climate change, and water resources; Michael Miller from The European Union delegation to Bangladesh ambassador and delegation head; Andre Carstens, mission head of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh; Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun from Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA); and Mostafiz Uddin from Bangladesh Apparel Exchange.
Hasan said: “When we talk about sustainability, it has to be a shared responsibility. I sincerely hope that importers and exporters will both come together and work on sustainability.
“I would urge the business community and our partners from the Netherlands to engage with their counterparts to transition to renewable and sustainable energy production.”
Miller added: “EU consumers have benefitted from good value and high-quality products imported from Bangladesh. Partnerships between the EU & Bangladesh must evolve as we move forward and evolve. We look to Bangladesh to increase its ambition when it comes to renewables. The EU is determined to work with Bangladesh to ensure it is equipped with the capacity to provide opportunities for sustainable developments.”
Additionally, a Circular Textile Trade mission from The Netherlands took place from 10 to 13 February.
Organised by the Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands along with other partners, this mission featured 18 Dutch companies specialising in circularity and renewable energy. It provides a unique platform for networking and matchmaking at SAF.
“The Netherlands values its partnership with Bangladesh and recognises Bangladesh’s leading role in the global RMG industry. We are committed to working together with Bangladesh to navigate its challenges. We strongly support the mission to raise awareness, standardise sustainability goals, and enhance circularity and traceability. Today, we are bringing together all key players in the apparel value chain, and collaborative efforts are key to implementing the sustainable solutions needed for Bangladesh to solidify its position as a responsible sourcing destination. This forum offers a crucial opportunity to accelerate progress in vital areas,” Carstens said.
