The Cascale Forum, taking place in Ho Chi Minh City on May 14-15, 2024, will unite key players in textiles, apparel, and footwear to address urgent sustainability issues.
The Cascale Forum is set to take place in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on May 14-15, 2024, bringing together a diverse group of manufacturers, suppliers, brands, retailers, and other key stakeholders in the textiles, apparel, and footwear industries. This event aims to address critical issues surrounding sustainability, including decarbonization, responsible purchasing, and the phenomenon of audit fatigue. The forum highlights Vietnam’s position as the world’s second-largest exporter in these sectors, just after China, making it a pivotal venue for discussions on sustainable production practices.
This year’s forum represents a significant change, as it combines Cascale’s Manufacturer and Brand & Retail Forums into a single cohesive platform. This merger is intended to enhance collaboration among stakeholders and address pressing sustainability challenges while exploring opportunities within the industry. The agenda for the forum has been developed with input from prominent figures and organizations, including the Apparel Impact Institute, Crystal International, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Hirdaramani Group, New Balance, Puma Group, and the Vietnam Textile & Apparel Association (VITAS).
Colin Browne, the CEO of Cascale, emphasized the relevance of the forum’s timing, stating, “There could not be a better time or place to convene on sustainability challenges given the evolving regulatory landscape and resounding appeal for industry to fill in the gaps where promises are often falling short. Sustainability is no longer a ‘nice to have,’ it’s a business imperative.” He will deliver the opening address, aiming to guide stakeholders in embedding sustainable practices into their core business strategies to promote growth and resilience.
Scott Raskin, CEO of Worldly and Lead Partner of the forum, expressed optimism about the collaboration. He noted, “Partnering with Cascale at its forum in Vietnam is a great opportunity to bring together manufacturers and brand leaders in one of the world’s key manufacturing hubs.” He highlighted the increasing pressures suppliers face to meet sustainability targets and navigate complex reporting requirements, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts to improve transparency and reduce environmental impact.
The economic landscape of Vietnam underscores the forum’s urgency. With projected revenues in the textile and apparel sectors reaching $44 billion in 2024, which is an increase of over 11 percent from the previous year, VITAS is aiming for even higher revenue of over $47 billion. These figures reflect Vietnam’s commitment to sustainability, including a goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 by transitioning to renewable energy sources.
The Cascale Forum is poised to be a significant gathering for the industry, focusing on the theme “Co-Creating Tomorrow: Unified Action for People & Planet.” Participants can expect engaging sessions discussing updates to Cascale’s Higg Index tools, interactive exhibitions, and specialized training sessions designed to provide certifications that enhance organizational credibility in terms of environmental and social responsibility.
Kyle Chung from Crystal Group Limited, Leonie Vaas from Hirdaramani Apparel, and Tony Hung from New Balance all expressed their eagerness to collaborate on driving sustainable practices within the industry. Chung emphasized the importance of collective actions for impactful change, while Vaas noted the forum’s role as an invaluable platform for shaping a sustainable future. Hung echoed this sentiment, stressing that fostering sustainability requires close collaboration among industry players.
Lee Green, Senior Director of Marketing & Communications at Cascale, remarked that the forum represents a culmination of efforts to engage key players across the value chain, particularly highlighting the voice of manufacturers. He stated, “This event offers a unique platform to collaborate, learn, and take action on the most pressing issues in sustainability.”
The Cascale Forum in Ho Chi Minh City presents an opportunity for industry stakeholders to gather in one of the world’s critical manufacturing hubs to explore collaborative solutions to sustainability and production challenges, aligning with both local and global environmental goals.
Source: Noah Wire Services
