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The UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka’s Working Group on Sustainable Supply Chain hosted its first webinar on April 29, 2021, titled “Transforming Supply Chain Sustainability through Ethical Sourcing”. This webinar brought together Supply Chain experts from Sri Lanka, Singapore and Spain, a news release connected to the event said.

The keynote address was given by the Chairman of Network Sri Lanka and CEO of Dilmah Tea, Dilhan C. Fernando. The esteemed panel members were Matt Kovac, Executive Director, Food Industry Asia (FIA – Singapore), Helena Orella Salinas, Sustainable Development Manager, Bolton Food (Spain), Sonali Peiris – Head of Sustainability, Enterprise Risk Management & Group Initiatives, John Keells Holdings (JKH). The Panel was moderated by Thamindri De Silva, General Manager, MJF Charitable Foundation and Steering Committee Member, UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka.

The release added:

“This session highlighted the importance of incorporating ethical sourcing practices into the sustainability of the supply chains in today’s fast-paced and dynamic business world. While the business case for making a shift is sound, it is imperative that companies create long-term strategies to incorporate environmental, social and corporate governance as a means of generating profit and holding themselves accountable for people and planet.

“Ethical sourcing symbolises company-wide efforts to meet industry standards and conforming with regulations, that should be considered as an opportunity to generate profit rather than a business expense. Consumers have become sensitised to the impact products have on the environment and human rights. Therefore, it is critical that companies create key partnerships with NGOs and international standard setting bodies to hold their company accountable and ensure their resources are sourced in a safe and sustainable manner.

“Technology plays an important role as it promotes transparency in the supply chain. As supply chains evolve over time and are exposed to external shocks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, technology enables companies to use programmes that can access supplier frameworks remotely and provide assistance when necessary.

“As the Chairman of Network Sri Lanka and CEO of Dilmah Tea, Dilhan C. Fernando said, “Human actions have produced a situation that needs to change for the sake of future generations” pushing companies to make the shift towards ethical sourcing in their supply chains and leading to sustainability as a business strategy.”

The UN Global Compact is a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the Global Compact is a call to companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

The Webinar can be viewed on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nHAep-d7Wgc

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