The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) has unveiled the ‘SWITCH to Circular Economy Value Chains (SWITCH2CE) initiative in Bangladesh, aimed at promoting sustainable circular practices in the textiles and garments sector.

Today, UNIDO, in collaboration with the commerce ministry, inaugurated this groundbreaking project at the Westin Dhaka, bringing together industry leaders, government officials, academics, and international partners.

The launch event served as a platform to foster collaboration, shed light on project strategies, particularly the pilot of circular strategies in partnership with the private sector, showcase circularity within the textiles and garments industry, and delve into policy and knowledge ecosystems, as stated by UNIDO.

One of the pressing challenges highlighted by UNIDO is the environmental issues linked to textile waste. 

In response, the global SWITCH2CE project, co-funded by the European Union and the Finnish government, aims to pioneer circular approaches across textiles, plastic packaging, and ICT and electronics value chains.

In Bangladesh, this project collaborates with local and international partners spanning the private sector, think tanks, and government entities, all working together to facilitate the transition to circular practices in the textiles and garments industry.

Speaking at the event as the chief guest, Textile and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi emphasized the significance of addressing the absence of local recycling solutions for blended and pure cotton textile waste. 

Gazi proudly announced Bangladesh’s achievement in 2022, surpassing all other nations globally with 183 USGBC LEED-certified green apparel manufacturing facilities. 

He stressed the need to integrate sustainability and growth in the industry’s strategy moving forward.

The inauguration of the event featured key figures, including Zaki Uz Zaman, UNIDO representative to Bangladesh, and Abdur Rahim Khan, additional secretary and wing chief (export) of the commerce ministry.

Bernd SPANIER, chargé d’affaires representing the EU delegation to Bangladesh, also delivered remarks during the program, underlining the significance of this project in the context of sustainable development.