Recently, 59 sustainable brand initiatives were awarded at the 4th edition of AkijBashir Group Presents SDG Brand Champion Awards 2026, powered by SMC Enterprise Limited and American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), in association with PRAN-RFL Group and BGMEA. The event was held at Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel, Dhaka, on July 18, 2026. Among the awardees, 34 initiatives received the Winner accolade, while 25 initiatives received Honourable Mentions. Initiated by Bangladesh Innovation Conclave, the award aims to recognise and honour private organisations and brands that have made outstanding contributions to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bangladesh. The initiative was organised by Bangladesh Brand Forum and Sustainable Brand Initiative, a press release said.

The SDG Brand Champion Awards 2026 received an overwhelming response from a diverse range of industries, earning widespread appreciation as the foremost recognition of its kind in the field of sustainability in Bangladesh. 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 2026 were presented across 19 distinct categories, covering the full spectrum of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their relevance to Bangladesh. A total of 472 nominations were submitted for this year’s awards. The winners were chosen through a rigorous, multi-step evaluation process. This included an initial screening of nominations, followed by thorough reviews conducted by 7 exclusive grand jury panels. These panels featured 27 esteemed category experts from various industries, ensuring that the most impactful initiatives were recognised through a transparent, accountable, and unbiased selection process.

As Shariful Islam, Founder & Managing Director of Bangladesh Brand Forum, stated, “We are at a defining moment — where brands must go beyond promises and lead with purpose. The SDG Brand Champion Awards celebrate those that are not just aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals but driving real, measurable change. These champions are setting the standard for what responsible business looks like in Bangladesh. Through this platform, we aim to inspire bold action, scale transformative ideas, and create a future where sustainability is not the exception, but the expectation.”

The award gala was preceded by the 4th edition of Sustainability Summit. The summit featured a dynamic agenda consisting of 3 keynote sessions, 2 panel discussions, 3 insight sessions, 2 case study presentations, an expert deep dive, and a policy dialogue. Together, these sessions traced a clear arc — from responsibility to measurable impact, and from compliance to conduct — exploring how sustainability is transforming business models, influencing competitiveness, and shaping the strategic vision of forward-thinking organisations.

This year’s keynote speakers included Masud Khan, Chairman, Bangladesh Securities & Exchange Commission (BSEC), who joined as Chief Guest with a keynote on mobilising capital for Bangladesh’s green transition; Professor Philip Kotler, Professor Emeritus, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, and Dr. Khalid Hasan, President, ResInt Sustainability Institute, Canada, who together delivered a virtual keynote on the next evolution of capitalism and sustainable value creation; and Dr. Shraman Jha, Chief Executive Officer, Hindustan Unilever Foundation, who addressed why sustainability is the new growth imperative.

The summit explored how sustainability is emerging as a key competitive advantage, driving long-term growth and resilience. Insight sessions examined how businesses are turning responsibility into measurable shared value, why data, disclosure, and ESG reporting have become the new language of business trust, and how robust ESG frameworks can unlock foreign direct investment. Panel discussions carried the conversation from the boardroom to the bottom line, and onto the factory floor, spotlighting how Bangladesh’s ready-made garment sector is redefining responsible business for global markets. Case study presentations illustrated the potential of carbon markets for green growth and the discipline of authentic sustainability storytelling, while an expert deep dive examined what responsible business truly means across the country’s supply chains.

Sustainability Summit and SDG Brand Champion Awards 2026 are presented by AkijBashir Group and powered by SMC Enterprise Limited & American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), in association with PRAN-RFL Group and BGMEA. Strategic Partners: International Advertising Association (IAA) Bangladesh, Asia Marketing Federation (AMF), and Marketing Society of Bangladesh (MSB); Hospitality Partner: Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel, Dhaka; PR Partner: Backpage PR; Official Carrier Partner: Turkish Airlines. The Bangladesh Brand Forum and Sustainable Brand Initiative organised the summit and the award gala. The Sustainability Summit and SDG Brand Champion Awards is an initiative of Bangladesh Innovation Conclave.