Sustainability reporting is a critical hedge for Bangladesh as the country moves towards LDC graduation. It also has one of the lowest reporting rates in South Asia which is a matter of concern. The highly regulated financial sector has been the best performing, juxtaposed with the highly polluting industries such as the tanneries, which consistently underperformed in this context. Furthermore, the private sector in Bangladesh needs to adequately pursue SDG-based reporting, while the involvement of stakeholders, particularly the customers and community, often needs to be stronger. Environmental compliance, labour and human rights, and reporting on sustainability will impact Bangladesh’s global market access, which is pivotal for Bangladesh’s smooth transition out of the LDC. Hence, an institutional framework can support and guide this activity for sustained private sector growth in a globalising Bangladesh. Given this, to discuss the pertinent matters in the discourse, the Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, in partnership with United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Bangladesh and United Nations Environment Program Poverty-Environment Action organised a dialogue titled “Sustainability Reporting by the Private Sector in Bangladesh: Expectations and Experience” on October 29 2022 at the Auditorium, BRAC Centre Inn, Mohakhali, Dhaka with relevant stakeholders from the private sector, government, civil society and academia.

Download