Unilever Bangladesh launches sustainability blue book

Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL), the country's leading Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company, organised an engaging event titled 'Progressing Sustainably: Together for Bangladesh' in Dhaka today.

The event brought together their valued partners, key industry players, and sustainability advocates in Bangladesh to share and discuss their progress and vision for a sustainable future for Bangladesh.

During the event, UBL celebrated the launch of the Sustainability Blue Book 2024, UBL's second voluntary report. The event also featured three roundtable discussions with experts, focusing on current problems and collaborative solutions to protect the environment.

H.E. Sarah Cooke, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, graced the event as the Chief Guest. Zaved Akhtar, Chairman and Managing Director of UBL, was also present, while Shamima Akhter, Director of Corporate Affairs, Partnerships, and Communications at UBL, delivered a keynote speech.

The UBL team presented four compelling case studies, highlighting their critical initiatives under the four focus sustainability pillars: Climate, Nature, Plastic, and Livelihood, in alignment with their business strategy – the Growth Action Plan (GAP) 2024. These case studies featured UBL's innovative and collaborative approaches to integrating sustainable solutions into their business operations.

The event concluded with three impactful roundtable discussions. In partnership with the Policy Exchange of Bangladesh, a UK-based think tank - the roundtable on 'Achieving Plastic Circularity in Bangladesh' was held. LightCastle Partners, a management consulting firm, facilitated the discussion on 'Climate Conversation: Collective Pathways for a Sustainable Bangladesh,' while the International Labour Organization (ILO) spearheaded the conversation on 'Improving Livelihoods Across the Value Chain.'

H.E. Sarah Cooke, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, said, "I commend Unilever Bangladesh, a major UK investor, for their commitment to producing high-quality, locally made products that benefit millions of Bangladeshi households. Their focus on sustainability and inclusive business growth is a powerful example for others. As Bangladesh continues its journey toward sustainable development, adopting green practices and ensuring transparency will be vital. Unilever's efforts demonstrate how business can create a sustainable future while contributing to global sustainable development goals."

Zaved Akhtar, Chairman and Managing Director of UBL, said, "For over six decades, Unilever has been committed to Bangladesh's growth, integrating sustainability at the core of our business. By focusing on actionable goals alongside long-term commitments, we aim to protect the planet while creating economic value. However, this journey requires collective action. The next era of sustainability will largely depend on how we work together as a community. With 2025 set to be a pivotal year for everyone as there will be significant developments in policy dialogues, primarily related to plastic, nutrition, and the ocean, we must focus on collective innovation through collaboration. And, today's engagement with all our partners joining us to celebrate and progress sustainability together for Bangladesh reflects the power of unity, giving us hope to build a sustainable, inclusive future for Bangladesh and beyond."

Unilever Bangladesh will continue to create an enabling environment with partners, stakeholders, industry leaders and the government to foster a sustainable Bangladesh.