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 Tuesday evening.
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 Chief Guest, says a press release.
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.