Better Cotton Launches Multistakeholder Platform to Catalyse Collaboration in Pakistan’s Cotton Sector  

16 April, Lahore – Better Cotton, the world’s largest cotton sustainability initiative, has launched a Multistakeholder Platform in Pakistan to regularly convene representatives from government, industry, donors and academia, promote collaboration and drive collective action towards a more sustainable cotton sector in the country.

The platform’s inaugural meeting took place on 10 April in Lahore, where Better Cotton welcomed more than 35 participants to define mutual goals and expectations for future gatherings.

Hina Fouzia, Director at Better Cotton Pakistan, said: “Promoting more sustainable cotton production in Pakistan is imperative not only to the country’s economic development, but also to its ability to protect human and labour rights, achieve national sustainability targets, and ensure access to global markets for farmers and suppliers. Together, we are stronger and have the capabilities to future-proof the livelihoods of cotton farming communities.”

The Multistakeholder Platform formalises an approach for closer engagement between government bodies and the cotton sector’s stakeholders. It will create greater transparency and accountability among organisations as they work towards a more sustainable cotton industry.

Participating organisations will attend quarterly meetings to exchange information and learnings, define priorities, and co-create action plans capable of accelerating progress.

Last month, Better Cotton launched a Multistakeholder Dialogue in Brazil, bringing together the country’s agricultural and textile sectors to promote multisectoral collaboration, align on priorities, and develop joint solutions to mutual challenges.

Notes to Editors

Membership

• Member selection will be carried out by Better Cotton Pakistan, a subsidiary of Better Cotton, in mutual consultation with the key stakeholders of the cotton supply chain.

• Government representatives will be selected based on their relevance to the cotton sector and must have decision-making authority from their respective department/ministry.

• Private sector stakeholder representatives will be nominated by their employers, which include suppliers and trade associations.

• Civil society organisations will have two representatives involved in the platform, one from a national organisation and the other from an international organisation. The selection of civil society members will be undertaken by the Better Cotton.

• Better Cotton Programme Partners will be represented in the platform to offer the perspective of farming communities.

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