Third edition of Sustainable Apparel Forum to take place on May 10

The Bangladesh Apparel Exchange will host the third edition of the Sustainable Apparel Forum (SAF) on May 10, 2022, at the International Convention City in Bashundhara, Dhaka, with guests and exhibitors from more than 20 nations.

The goal of this year’s edition is to position Bangladesh as the best ethical clothing sourcing location on the planet. The forum will be shared by government ministers and advisers, the European Union, UN bodies, global fashion advocates, brands, manufacturers, and industry executives to address the sector’s requirements and ways to promote sustainability in Bangladesh’s garment industry.

SAF founder, Mostafiz Uddin, said that with SAF 2022, they intended to curate an event that would bring together major global industry leaders and serve as a catalyst for meaningful industry change. This is high-level networking with a specific purpose in mind: how can they flip the needle so that the lofty sustainability goals their sector so frequently talks about are converted into real, practical action.

Senior executives from 20 globally recognized recycling and renewable energy firms will display their sustainability and green technology, products, and solutions, while SAF will highlight options for much-needed green finance. Climate action, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and green financing, buying habits, the circular economy, and regulatory changes will be discussed.

Among the more than 50 speakers are Inditex’s Javier Santonja Olcina, regional head for Bangladesh and Pakistan; H&M’s Gagan Bansal, global material innovation and strategy manager; Mark Anner, founding director of the Center for Global Workers’ Rights; Anna Athanasopoulou, the European Commission’s head of unit for social economy and creative industries; Tuomo Poutiainen, the ILO’s country director for Bangladesh; Faruque Hassan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGMEA); Better Buying vice president of research Najet Draper and Remake founder and CEO Ayesha Barenblat.

Tawfiq-e-elahi Chowdhury, adviser to the prime minister (PM) on power, energy, and mineral resources; Salman F Rahman, adviser to the PM on private industry and investment; commerce minister Tipu Munshi; state minister for labor and employment Begum Monnujan Sufian; and Saber Hossain Chowdhury, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on ministry of environment, forest, and climate change will be present.

Uddin added that a thorough post-event debriefing will also take place, with guidance and discussion on event outcomes and potential future steps.

The embassy of the Netherlands in Bangladesh, Pacific Jeans, Cotton USA, KDS, Epic, the Laudes Foundation, Higg, H&M, and Better Work Bangladesh are all sponsors of the event.