The issue of responsible business conduct and human rights in global supply chain came under spotlight at an event here on Tuesday.
The Initiative for Global Solidarity (IGS), implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), hosted the event 鈥楽trengthening Supply Chain Due Diligence: Insights and Future Pathways鈥� at a local hotel, according to a press release.
The high-level event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including industry leaders, government representatives, civil society actors, and international development partners to discuss responsible business conduct and human rights in global supply chains.
Moderated by Sadia Raisa Khan of GIZ, the event focused on deepening cooperation and charting a sustainable future for Bangladesh鈥檚 ready-made garment (RMG) sector through due diligence and responsible business practices.
In his welcome address, Werner Lange, Cluster Coordinator at GIZ, stressed the growing importance of human rights and environmental due diligence in global supply chains.
Ulrich Kleppmann from the German Embassy in Dhaka followed with remarks highlighting the strategic significance of the Responsible Business Hubs (RBHs) within the IGS network: 鈥楤GMEA and BKMEA are demonstrating proactive engagement with global due diligence standards. Moving forward, the full ownership of the Responsible Business Hubs by the industry associations is key.鈥�
A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between GIZ and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), signifying a continued partnership in advancing due diligence through the RBH structure.
Michael Klode, project head at GIZ, emphasised the global scope of the IGS project and reiterated GIZ鈥檚 commitment to collaborative development: 鈥楾hrough this agreement, our cooperation will continue to strengthen and ensure the success of the Responsible Business Hub in Bangladesh.鈥�
The event featured multiple sessions and expert insights, including a presentation by Carla Dohmwirth of GIZ on the global impact of IGS, and a keynote by Prof. Surya Deva of Macquarie University on the global perspective of business and human rights.
Discussions explored the operational role of the RBH in Bangladesh as a knowledge and support center for manufacturers.
Speakers Sheikh Shuchita Jahan Sneha (BGMEA) and Farzana Sharmin (BKMEA) underscored the RBH鈥檚 alignment with industry priorities, especially in areas such as training, capacity building, and business advocacy in line with Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) standards.
Two panel discussions brought rich perspectives to the fore. The first, 鈥業ndustry Perspective on HREDD,鈥� included speakers from BGMEA, BKMEA, Bestseller, and DBL Group, and was moderated by Michael Klode.
The second panel, 鈥榃orkers鈥� Perspective on HREDD & Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement,鈥� featured experts from the Laudes Foundation, Cumilla University, SRS, and BCWS, and was moderated by Laila Tasmia from GIZ.
Additional contributions came from representatives of ILO鈥檚 Better Work programme, the Fair Wear Foundation, and others, who shared experiences on grievance mechanisms at the factory level.
A compelling role-play by RMG workers illustrated the critical importance of workplace anti-harassment committees, adding a powerful human dimension to the technical discussions.
The event marked a significant step forward in Bangladesh鈥檚 journey toward sustainable and responsible supply chain practices, reinforcing partnerships between government, industry and civil society to ensure long-term impact.
