Bangladesh won two prizes in two out of the six categories of the Zayed Sustainability Awards in the UAE. The prizes were in 'Water' and 'Global High Schools' categories. UAE President Sheik Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan handed over the prizes to the winners at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week opening ceremony in presence of several heads of states & governments including the president of the Republic of Korea. Read More: BAT Bangladesh scoops up ACES Awards 2022 as 'top sustainability advocate' Bangladesh ambassador to the UAE Abu Zafar was also present at the ceremony and congratulated the winners and commended their innovative works that raised the flag of Bangladesh very high in this global event. Read more: 2 Bangladesh projects win 2022 Aga Khan Award for Architecture NGO Local Environment Development and Agricultural Research Society (LEDARS) working on integrated water resource management approach in disaster-prone coastal area likely Sundarban and Satkhira won the prize in 'Water' category with $ 600,000.00 Starting its journey in 1996, it has been supporting vulnerable communities with water management solutions to make saline ground water suitable for drinking and cultivating crops. On the other hand, Dhaka Residential Model College working on nutrient conservation secured the school category prize with $100,000.00. Read More: Nagad wins UK-based Global Brand Award 2022 Mentionable, the Zayed Sustainability Prize, an evolution of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, is the UAE’s pioneering global award in sustainability and a tribute to the legacy of the late founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. To recognise and reward the achievements of those who are driving impactful, innovative and inspiring sustainability solutions across five distinct categories--Health, Food, Energy, Water and Global High Schools, it has been awarding since its journey in 2008.

Swedish Minister of Foreign Trade and International Development Cooperation Johan Forssell has said sustainability will be an important part of their future bilateral ties with Bangladesh and they look forward to enhancing their partnership within the green transition. With the celebration of 50 years of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Sweden as a backdrop, the Swedish Minister said that Sweden wants to continue their common journey ahead. He made the remarks (digital introductory remarks) at the first policy dialogue held within the newly launched initiative called the “Sustainable Fashion Platform” by Sweden in Bangladesh. The event held on Wednesday focused on scaling up the Sweden-Bangladesh partnership in renewable energy within the RMG-sector. PM’s Adviser on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury spoke as the chief guest. Ambassador of Sweden to Bangladesh Alexandra Berg von Linde said Sweden sees potential for cooperation on sustainability within the RMG-sector. She said both to sustain and strengthen Bangladesh’s competitiveness and respond to the Swedish RMG-brands ambitious climate goals, forthcoming EU regulations on sustainability, their overall global commitments and the changing consumer demands. Ambassador Berg von Linde also underlined that Swedish green tech companies have a lot to offer in the wider domain of sustainability, both when it comes to services and solutions. Read more: Bangladesh Head of Mission to EU addresses what he called “disinformation campaign” at European Parliament Md. Habibur Rahman, Secretary, Power Division, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Munira Sultana, Chairperson, Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) and Faruque Hassan, President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) participated as special guests. Ambassador of the European Union Charles Whiteley, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Sweden Mehdi Hasan, Resident Representative of UNDP Stefan Liller and President of the Nordic Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tahrin Aman also spoke at the event. The Embassy of Sweden in Bangladesh, together with the Swedish brands H&M, IKEA, and Lindex, along with the Nordic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) and the Sweden-Bangladesh Business Council (SBBC), has set up an initiative called “Sustainable Fashion Platform” to combine and coordinate the efforts on sustainability within the RMG sector in Bangladesh under one umbrella. The discussion was organised as a part of the initiative, which aims to strengthen Bangladesh’s global competitiveness and, at the same time, build a sustainable partnership, said the Swedish Embassy in Dhaka on Thursday. The Swedish RMG-brands associated with the Sustainable Fashion Platform, H&M, IKEA and Lindex, made a joint presentation during the event and Business Sweden informed about the matchmaking activities organized within the initiative that took place between Swedish RMG-brands, their suppliers and Swedish green tech companies, in September 2022, with the purpose of finding new arenas for collaborations.

Bangladesh is recognized and praised globally as one of the safest and greenest apparel sourcing destinations in the world, said President of BGMEA Faruque Hassan on Thursday. "Its (RMG) impressive achievements have boosted the trust and confidence of global buyers in the garments with Made in Bangladesh tag," he said. Building on the achievements Bangladesh’s RMG industry has continued its all-out efforts to grow in a manner that is sustainable and keeps positive impacts on the planet and the people, said the BGMEA chief. His comments came while speaking at a webinar organized by International Trade Center (ITC) where he shared the strides BGMEA has made towards making the RMG industry of Bangladesh one of the safest and greenest industries in the world. BGMEA President Faruque Hassan was invited to the webinar by ITC to share his views, insights and experience of heading BGMEA, the apex RMG industry association in Bangladesh. He also shed lights on the best practices and initiatives of BGMEA and the clothing sector in Bangladesh at large. Faruque Hassan said Bangladesh earned global accolades for the remarkable strides in the areas of workplace safety, environmental sustainability and workers’ rights and welfare. He thanked the ITC for featuring the commendable good practices of Bangladesh’s RMG industry in the Good Practices in the Global Apparel Industry which is the latest publication launched by the ITC. BGMEA has been selected in the publication as a case study of best practices in the category of “Effective management of industry”. Read: BGMEA chief calls on French brand to expand business base in Bangladesh “While the recognition will inspire us to pursue excellence, it will motivate other countries to follow the suit,” he said. Dr. Rajesh Bheda – author of publication and CEO of Rajesh Bheda Consulting; Tuli Cooray, Secretary General, Joint Apparel Association Forum, Sri Lanka; and Dr. Vandana Bhandari –Professor, National Institute of Fashion Technology, India also spoke at the webinar which was moderated by Delphine Clement, Programme Officer at ITC. The RMG industry of Bangladesh places utmost importance to sustainability, Faruque Hassan said, adding that having the highest number of green factories in Bangladesh is the glowing example of our committed efforts towards sustainability. He said BGMEA has taken an initiative of industry wide “ESG Digital Cloud based data disclosure Platform” through which all BGMEA member factories would be disclosing their data in the digital platform through which BGMEA would be able to develop an industry ESG dash board. BGMEA has published its “Sustainability Strategic ESG vision 2030” that looks into all ESG issues pertinent to the industry and is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Bangladesh’s National Priority Indicators. BGMEA has established the “Centre of innovation efficiency and OSH” to support the industry to enhance sustainability and boost productivity and innovation within the sector, he added.   Faruque Hassan invited the guests to the “Made in Bangladesh Week” which will be organized by BGMEA in Dhaka on 12-18 November 2022 to promote Bangladesh and the RMG industry.

Global smart device brand Oppo unveiled its 2021 OPPO Sustainability Report, ahead of Barcelona Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2022. The report highlighted its achievements in combining sustainability and eco-friendly concepts into its entire product lifecycle as it continues to pursue its brand mission of “Technology for Mankind, Kindness for the World”. OPPO is committed to implement the internationally recognized “3R+1D” sustainable packaging principles, and sticks to reducing weight of packaging, reusing recycled materials, using recyclable and biodegradable materials in its packaging. Oppo successfully reduced the overall plastic used in packaging of its smartphone products by 95% since 2019. In addition, nearly 45% of its smartphone packaging in the European markets was made by recycled fiber, reducing the use of raw materials. To increase product durability, OPPO has introduced the self-developed Battery HealthEngine to increase the lifespan of its batteries. As a result, the battery capacity is able to be maintained at as high as 80% after up to 1600 charging-discharging cycles. READ:  Oppo to launch Find X5 Series Thursday OPPO has already established a product recycling system, offering trade-in services in domestic and international markets to promote the recycling and reuse of used mobile phones. Alongside its own actions, OPPO has also been working closely with other partners to promote sustainability: OPPO is one of the companies who contributed a lot in the Eco Rating Labeling Scheme. Apart from its efforts on environment protection, OPPO has long taking actions to contribute to sustainable development, with focus on key areas including digital inclusion, health and wellbeing, and youth empowerment. READ: Mobile imaging: Oppo announces strategic partnership with Hasselblad Later this month, OPPO will exhibit at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2022 in Barcelona under the theme of “Shape the Future”, where it will showcase its innovative mobile technologies, latest achievements in AR and 5G, and success stories in sustainability.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) leaders have met with Primark and its Associated British Foods (ABF) parent’s leaders to discuss Primark’s new wide-reaching sustainability strategy.BGMEA President Faruque Hassan, Vice President Miran Ali, Directors Asif Ashraf and Abdullah Hil Rakib met with Paul Lister, Director of Legal Services and Company Secretary ABF, Paul Marchant, CEO Primark, Lynne Walker, Director Primark Cares and Juan Chaparro, Group Director Supply Chain, Sourcing and Quality in London to discuss Primark’s new sustainability strategy Primark Cares, and BGMEA’s support for its sustainability ambitions. Also read: BGMEA sees the future in value-added, high-end apparel items BGMEA expressed its support for the objectives Primark has set out to change the ways its clothes are made, halve its carbon emissions across its wider supply chain and improve the lives of the workers in the supply chain, BGMEA said on Saturday.Bangladesh is Primark’s second largest sourcing market and home to many of Primark’s strategic suppliers and their factories.The BGMEA’s support, as one of the country’s largest trade associations for the garment industry, can play a valuable role in helping engage its members in Primark’s sustainability goals.Both parties discussed the new commitments which Primark will work towards over the next decade in greater detail: Primark has been deliberately ambitious in its goals, stretching targets across its use of recycled materials, environmental footprint and how it will take a leadership role in improving the lives and wellbeing of workers in its supply chain.This means that delivering many of the new commitments will rely on driving change throughout Primark’s wider supply chain, so gaining the support of external stakeholders, such as the BGMEA, is important. Also read: BGMEA seeks Laudes Foundation's support for its new centreBoth Primark and the BGMEA have shared goals around sustainability, in particular around workers’ wellbeing and skills development, and look forward to sharing experiences and best practices with each other into the future.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, highlighted the need of diversifying Bangladesh’s export basket to sustain accelerated economic growth, increase investment opportunities, and create more jobs, particularly for women.