Sri Lanka is set to host the Cascale Forum, an event that will gather over 500 global apparel manufacturers, brands, retailers, non-governmental agencies, and policymakers in Colombo from March 30 to April 1. The forum will focus on the theme of building a fairer and more resilient supply chain, according to the organizers.
“At Cascale Forum: Colombo, we are bringing the value chain together to work intentionally on the systems, relationships, and practices that accelerate measurable progress on climate and decent work,” said Harsh Saini, interim CEO of Cascale, formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition. “This is a space for shared learning — and shared responsibility.”
The event was previously held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in 2025. Cascale highlights Sri Lanka as an important region in the global apparel supply chain, noting the country’s reputation for high environmental and social standards, energy-efficient operations, and the early adoption of sustainability tools like the Higg Index.
The textile and apparel export sector constitutes nearly 50 percent of Sri Lanka’s exports and accounts for six percent of its GDP. The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), representing Sri Lanka’s textile and apparel export sector, supports the forum in Sri Lanka. “Sri Lanka has long played an important role in advancing responsible manufacturing,” said JAAF Chairman Saifuddin Jafferjee. “Cascale Forum: Colombo provides a valuable platform to share regional experience, strengthen collaboration across the value chain, and contribute practical insights that support a fairer, more resilient industry.”
Cascale also notes that Sri Lanka offers real-world examples of responsible production, making it an ideal location for hands-on learning, cross-industry dialogue, and peer-to-peer capability building. “To build a resilient supply chain, we need strong alignment between brands and suppliers,” said Cesar Hasibuan, responsible supply chain director for South Asia at Nike Inc. “This forum will create space to understand each other’s challenges and design solutions that work in practice, not just on paper.”
Local organizations will provide context through factory tours coordinated via the Cascale Forum: Colombo program, allowing participants to experience firsthand sustainability innovations, workforce practices, and environmental performance improvements. “South Asia is known in the global apparel industry for combining innovation, quality, and responsible manufacturing,” said Nikhil Hirdaramani, director of the Hirdaramani Group. “Cascale Forum: Colombo showcases how that leadership contributes meaningfully to global industry progress.”
(Colombo/Jan 19/2026)
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