The 6th edition of the Sustainable Apparel Forum (SAF) was held in Dhaka on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, emphasizing the importance of sustainability in the apparel industry. Organized jointly by Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE) and the Embassy of the Netherlands, the conference aimed to position Bangladesh’s apparel sector as a global leader in responsible sourcing.
This year’s event brought together key stakeholders from the apparel industry, including experts and policymakers. The forum featured an inaugural session, four panel discussions, five keynote presentations, and two breakout sessions. More than 20 innovators and over 40 world-class speakers shared their insights, while over 550 local and international participants attended the event.
The chief guest at the inaugural ceremony was Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, Climate Change and Water Resources. The guests of honor were H. E. Michael Miller, Head of the Bangladesh Delegation to the European Union, H. E. Andre Carstens, Ambassador of the Netherlands Embassy, Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman (Senior Secretary) of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), and the inaugural speaker was Mostafiz Uddin, Founder and CEO of Bangladesh Apparel Exchange. All of them highlighted the importance of sustainable production and responsible business initiatives.
Mostafiz Uddin, Founder and CEO of Bangladesh Apparel Exchange, said in his opening remarks, “If you look at the efforts, we are creating collaborations and connections, increasing opportunities and investments, and integrating businesses further. I think our initiatives will continue and we will take effective steps towards a sustainable future.”
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser, Ministry of Environment, Forests, Climate Change, and Water Resources, 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.”
Michael Miller, Ambassador and Head of Delegation, The European Union Delegation to Bangladesh, said “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.”
Andre Carstens, Head of Mission, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh, said “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, standardize 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.”
Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman (Senior Secretary), Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Said “We as a country would like to be the leader in sustainable apparel by 2040. Let’s work together and try to find quick wins together.”
