The Resilient Water Accelerator (RWA), in partnership with WaterAid, participated in the Sustainable Apparel Forum 2025, bringing together key stakeholders to address water security and sustainable water management in Bangladesh's textile and readymade garments (RMG) industry. The forum highlighted the urgent need for innovative water stewardship strategies to ensure the industry's long-term sustainability.
A study by Deloitte, commissioned by RWA, revealed that water consumption in Bangladesh's textile sector could rise by up to 300% in the coming decades, stressing the importance of investing in water security, resilience, and sustainable practices. Experts at the forum emphasized the role of market intelligence strategies in driving meaningful changes in water management.
A prominent session, led by Mafruda Rahman, RWA's Country Strategy Manager, focused on the significant funding gap in sustainable water management, with experts estimating a shortfall of up to USD 35 billion. The discussion underscored the need for financial solutions and policy interventions to close this gap.
Lewys Isaac, Water Stewardship Manager at Primark, shared the company's efforts to enhance water quality and reduce pollution in its sourcing countries, focusing on freshwater conservation and water reuse. Azizur Rahman Chowdhury, Managing Director at JM Fabrics, emphasized the need for water conservation in the dyeing process, one of the most water-intensive aspects of the industry. He called for a shift in mindset to drive environmental change. Neeltje Kielen, the Delegated Representative for Water at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh, drew parallels between Bangladesh and the Netherlands' approach to water management, advocating for innovative solutions and stronger public-private partnerships.
Hosna Ferdous Sumi, Senior Private Sector Specialist at the World Bank, discussed the role of financial instruments and business awareness in promoting sustainable water practices. Syeda Afzalunnesa, Head of Sustainability at HSBC, highlighted the growing availability of sustainability-linked financing, noting that loans tied to water efficiency and ESG criteria are becoming more common. She also mentioned HSBC’s collaboration with the Apparel Impact Institute to support future supplier initiatives in Bangladesh.
RWA concluded the forum by reaffirming its commitment to improving water resilience in the apparel industry and announced plans to form a dedicated working group to develop data-driven solutions for sustainable water management. The forum underscored the importance of collective action in addressing Bangladesh’s water security challenges. With RWA, WaterAid, private sector partners, financial institutions, and government agencies collaborating, the event marked an important step toward ensuring efficient and responsible water resource management in the RMG sector and beyond.
