60 sustainable brand initiatives were awarded in the 3rd edition of AkijBashir Group Presents SDG Brand Champion Awards powered by SMC Enterprise Limited, held at Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel, Dhaka on July 12, 2025. Among the awardees, 35 initiatives received the winner accolade, 24 received the Honourable Mentions and 1 Individual Award was presented. Initiated by Bangladesh Innovation Conclave, this award aims to recognise and honour private organisations and brands that have contributed outstandingly to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Brand Forum and Sustainable Brand Initiative organised the initiative.
The SDG Brand Champion Awards 2025 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 2025 were presented across 22 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 26 to June 30, during which 457 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 by 8 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 of Bangladesh Innovation Conclave and Founder and Managing Director of Bangladesh Brand Forum, so eloquently 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 2nd edition of Sustainability Summit. The summit featured a dynamic agenda consisting of 3 keynote sessions, 3 panel discussions, 2 insight sessions, and 1 case study presentation. These sessions explored how sustainability is transforming business models, influencing consumer behaviour, and shaping the strategic vision of forward-thinking organisations.
This year’s keynote speakers included Shehzad Munim, Independent Director, Linde Bangladesh Limited; Professor Dr. Mohammad Nurunnabi, UNESCO Chair – Education for Sustainable Development, Green Skills and Climate Actions; Founding President & CEO – Global, Oxford Impact Group; and Roger Levermore, Senior Strategy Advisor, President & School of Management, Asian Institute of Technology.
Joining them was a distinguished group of speakers and panellists, including Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, Chairman & CEO, PRAN-RFL Group; Sabbir Hasan Nasir, Managing Director, AC Logistics Limited (Shwapno); Syed Mahbubur Rahman, Managing Director & CEO, Mutual Trust Bank PLC; Sayef Nasir, Managing Director, Social Marketing Enterprise Ltd.; Debashis Roy, Director – Advisory & Partnerships, Bangladesh Impact Investment Exchange (IIX); Tasneem Tayeb, Head of Environmental Compliance & Sustainability, South Asia, Coats; Dipesh Nag, Managing Director, Grameen Danone Foods Limited; Sunil Issac, Country Managing Director, EDOTCO Bangladesh Cơ. Ltd.; Dr. A. K. Enamul Haque, Director General, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) along with other leading voices from the private and development sectors.
