39 Sustainable Brand initiatives were Awarded in the 2nd edition of AkijBashir Group Presents SDG Brand Champion Awards in Association with Intellier, held at Le Méridien Dhaka on 10 September 2024 Tuesday. Among the awardees, 16 initiatives received the winner accolade and 23 received the Honourable Mentions. Initiated by Bangladesh Innovation Conclave, this award aimed to recognise and honour private organisations and brands that have contributed outstandingly to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bangladesh.
The award gala was attended by Ms. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor, Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, Advisor, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, as the Honorable Chief Guest.
Addressing the occasion and the awardees, the Chief Guest stated, “What we see here today, through these awards, are not just achievements; they are examples of how collaboration, leadership, and commitment can translate into real-world impact. As we work towards achieving the SDGs, we need to continue fostering these partnerships between the private and public sectors, NGOs, and communities. Together, we can tackle the challenges that lie ahead and create an inclusive and sustainable Bangladesh that we can all be proud of.”
The SDG Brand Champion Awards 2024 received an overwhelming response from a diverse range of industries, earning widespread appreciation for being the first-of-its-kind recognition in the field of sustainability. With more than 500 attendees, the awards ceremony highlighted the pioneering efforts and impactful initiatives of businesses, non-governmental organisations, development agencies, and brands that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to promoting and implementing sustainable development goals across the country.
The SDG Brand Champion Awards 2024 were presented across 9 distinct categories, covering the full spectrum of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their relevance to Bangladesh. Nominations for the awards were open from May 12 to June 13, during which 357 nominations were submitted. The winners were chosen through a rigorous, multi-step evaluation process. This included an initial screening of nominations, followed by thorough reviews conducted from July 9 to 13 by 8 exclusive grand jury panels. These panels featured 37 esteemed category experts from various industries, ensuring that the most impactful initiatives were recognised through a transparent, accountable, and unbiased selection process.
The jury session included significant experts like MD. Rubaiyath Sarwar, Managing Director Innovision Consulting Private Ltd.; Towfiquzzaman Chowdhury, PMP, General Manager, Sustainability, Robi Axiata Ltd.; Nazra Sabet, Senior Director and CEO, Friendship NGO; DR. Rubina Husain, President, SEED Foundation Bangladesh; Engr. Naznin Akther, Director, Solaric Group; Dilruba S. Khan, Group Human Resources Director, AkijBashir Group; Asif Iqbal, Group Chief Executive Officer, Hamid Group; Saif Moinul Islam, Senior Programme Officer, International Labour Organization (ILO) and many others.
As Shariful Islam, Founder and Managing Director of Bangladesh Innovation Conclave, so eloquently stated, ‘In the rise of a New Bangladesh, the role of brands in practicing sustainability has never been more crucial. Brands have the power to influence behaviors, drive innovation, and transform industries, all while contributing to the greater good of society and the planet. By integrating sustainability into their core operations, businesses are not only building a resilient economy but also ensuring a more equitable, just, and thriving future for the generations to come.’
The award gala was preceded by the inaugural edition of AkijBashir Group Presents Sustainability Summit in Association with Intellier and The Daily Star. The summit featured an engaging agenda comprising 01 Keynote Session, 02 Panel Discussions, 03 Insight Sessions and 01 Case Study. The event was graced by renowned industry leaders, experts, and panellists, who shared their thoughts and experiences on aligning brands with sustainable development goals.
Opening the summit, Shariful Islam, Founder and Managing Director, Bangladesh Innovation Conclave, said, “The future of Bangladesh lies in the hands of those who dare to be pioneers of positive change. Today, we are not just discussing sustainability as a concept, but as a practice that must be embedded into the DNA of every brand and organization. We stand at the cusp of transformation, and the decisions we make today will define the legacy we leave for future generations.”
The event began with a keynote session by Zaved Akhtar, Chairman & Managing Director, Unilever Bangladesh Limited; President, Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry, who shared insights on why sustainability is critical for Bangladeshi businesses and how they should pursue it. A case study on the Sustainable Practices of AkijBashir Group was then conducted by Bashiruddin Ahmed, Chairman AkijBashir Group.
The first panel discussion, titled, “Why Bangladeshi Businesses Should Embrace Sustainability for Future World,” was moderated by Dr. Syed Ferhat Anwar, Vice-Chancellor, BRAC University; President, Asia Marketing Federation (AMF), Chairman, BBF Academy; and featured panellists including Dr. A. K. Enamul Haque, Professor, Department of Economics & Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics, East West University; President, Marketing Society of Bangladesh (MSB); Selim R. F. Hussain, CEO & Managing Director, Brac Bank PLC.; Dr. Melita Mehjabeen, Professor, Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka; Md. Sabur Khan, Chairman, Daffodil International University (DIU); Sayef Nasir, Managing Director, Social Marketing Enterprise Ltd. (SMC).
The event was followed by an insight session titled “IFC Perspective: Setting ESG Standards to Advance Sustainable Finance,” orchestrated by Lopa Rahman, ESG officer, International Finance Corporation (IFC). Shehzad Munim, Advisor & Former President, Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Mentor, Leadership Academy conducted the second insight session Bridging the Renewable Energy Gap.
A CEO panel on Leadership’s Impact on Embedding Sustainability into Business Purpose was moderated by Asif Iqbal, Transformative Business Leader; and the panellists included Sabbir Hasan Nasir, Managing Director, ACI Logistics Limited; Rupali Chowdhury, Managing Director Berger Paints Bangladesh Ltd.; Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, Chairman & CEO, PRAN-RFL Group; K A M Majedur Rahman, Group CEO, A. K. Khan & Company Ltd. MD. Rubaiyath Sarwar, Managing Director, Innovision Consulting Private Ltd. and Syed Mahbubur Rahman, Managing Director & CEO, Mutual Trust Bank PLC.
Lastly, the final insight session was conducted by Saif Islam, Senior Programme Officer, International Labour Organization (ILO); regarding the policies and practices of accelerating climate action.
The event provided hands-on experience with implementing SGD and addressed common challenges and questions related to SGD. Collaboration opportunities and their potential impact on brands were explored, and emerging SDG trends and innovations were discussed. The discussion received overwhelming participation and positive feedback from the attendees, who appreciated the opportunity to discuss the importance of sustainability in brand strategy and explore ways to integrate SDGs into their business practices.
AkijBashir Group Presents Sustainability Summit and SDG Brand Champion Awards 2024 was held in Association with Intellier and The Daily Star; in Collaboration with International Advertising Association Bangladesh, Asia Marketing Federation (AMF), Marketing Society of Bangladesh (MSB); Supported by – Creative IT Institute; Technology Partner – aamra Technologies Limited; Hospitality Partner – Le Méridien Dhaka; PR Partner – Backpage PR. Bangladesh Brand Forum and Sustainable Brand Initiative organised the summit and the award gala. Sustainability Summit and SDG Brand Champion Awards is an initiative of Bangladesh Innovation Conclave