The Sustainable Apparel Forum (SAF) held its fourth edition in Dhaka, with both the European Union and United States reiterating their calls to protect labour rights and the environment for the sustainability of the apparel business in Bangladesh.

Peter D Haas, the US ambassador to Bangladesh, focused on the role of workers, which he described as one of the main driving forces in the sustainability of the garment sector. He called for labour law reforms to give workers the chance to exercise their rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining.

Charles Whiteley, the EU ambassador to Bangladesh, suggested improving labour rights to obtain the trade benefit under the new EU Generalised System of Preferences (GSP). The EU is finalising new GSP rules to be effective from January for the next decade.

Ziaur Rahman, regional country manager for production at H&M for Bangladesh, Pakistan and Africa, said "As a large buyer in Bangladesh, we recognise our responsibility to be at the forefront in driving the sustainability agenda," while speaking at the plenary session. According to Rahman, the most pressing issue right now is climate change. He said the fashion industry needs to reduce its carbon footprint and there is a pressing need for the use of more renewable energy in the manufacturing hubs like Bangladesh.

Some 60 speakers and 20 exhibitors from across the world gathered at the SAF to share knowledge on sustainability in the garment supply chain.