Thirty-four initiatives named winners, while 25 receive honourable mentions at Bangladesh Innovation Conclave awards
DHAKA, July 19, 2026: A total of 59 sustainable brand initiatives have been recognised at the 4th edition of the AkijBashir Group Presents SDG Brand Champion Awards 2026, honouring organisations that have made significant contributions to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bangladesh.
Held at the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel, Dhaka, on July 18, the awards ceremony recognised 34 initiatives as Winners and 25 initiatives with Honourable Mentions. The event was presented by AkijBashir Group, powered by SMC Enterprise Limited and American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), in association with PRAN-RFL Group and BGMEA.
An initiative of the Bangladesh Innovation Conclave, the awards are organised by Bangladesh Brand Forum and the Sustainable Brand Initiative to celebrate businesses and organisations demonstrating measurable progress in sustainability and responsible business practices.
This year's awards received 472 nominations from organisations representing diverse sectors, reflecting growing corporate engagement with sustainability. Winners were selected through a rigorous multi-stage evaluation process involving seven grand jury panels comprising 27 industry experts, ensuring transparency, accountability and impartiality.
Speaking on the occasion, Shariful Islam, Founder and Managing Director of Bangladesh Brand Forum, said brands must move beyond commitments and lead with purpose.
"The SDG Brand Champion Awards celebrate organisations that are not only aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals but also driving real, measurable change. These champions are setting the benchmark for responsible business in Bangladesh and inspiring transformative action across industries," he said.
The awards gala followed the 4th Sustainability Summit, which brought together policymakers, business leaders, sustainability experts and development professionals to discuss the evolving role of sustainability in business growth and competitiveness.
The summit featured three keynote sessions, two panel discussions, three insight sessions, two case study presentations, an expert deep dive and a policy dialogue, focusing on how organisations can transition from responsibility to measurable impact and integrate sustainability into long-term business strategy.
Among the keynote speakers were Masud Khan, Chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), who addressed financing Bangladesh's green transition; Professor Philip Kotler, Professor Emeritus at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, and Dr. Khalid Hasan, President of ResInt Sustainability Institute, Canada, who jointly delivered a virtual keynote on sustainable value creation; and Dr. Shraman Jha, Chief Executive Officer of the Hindustan Unilever Foundation, who highlighted sustainability as a key driver of future business growth.
Discussions throughout the summit explored the growing importance of ESG reporting, sustainable supply chains, foreign direct investment, responsible manufacturing, carbon markets and authentic sustainability storytelling in strengthening Bangladesh's competitiveness in global markets.
The Sustainability Summit and SDG Brand Champion Awards 2026 were organised by Bangladesh Brand Forum and the Sustainable Brand Initiative as part of the Bangladesh Innovation Conclave, with support from strategic partners including the International Advertising Association (IAA) Bangladesh, Asia Marketing Federation (AMF) and the Marketing Society of Bangladesh (MSB).
