The COTTON USA™ Sustainability Seminar, hosted by Cotton Council International (CCI), concluded successfully today at the PC Hotel Lahore. The event brought together top voices from the global cotton supply chain, as well as leading figures from Pakistan’s textile and apparel industry.
The seminar opened with Mazhar Mirza, CCI’s representative for Pakistan, who welcomed attendees and set the stage for a series of impactful presentations. William Bettendorf, Director South Asia and Supply Chain Marketing at CCI, shared the latest updates on the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, emphasizing its growing importance in global sourcing.
Stephanie Thiers-Ratcliffe, Director of European Brands and Retailers, presented key insights on traceability initiatives within the Trust Protocol, followed by Gerson Fajardo, Supply Chain Director, who discussed developments in transparency and data-backed sourcing.
A significant highlight was the presentation by Zoe Keay, VP of Sales at Oritain, who spoke on “Scientific Certainty in Uncertain Markets”, outlining how forensic science is being used to verify cotton origin and support trusted supply chains.
Industry leaders from Pakistan, including Abdul Jabbar (US Group) and Zainab Shahzad (Nishat Apparel), provided valuable insights into why Pakistan is well-positioned to benefit from the global shift toward sustainable sourcing. Jane Singer, Editor of Inside Fashion (Hong Kong), offered a broader international view on market trends and sourcing shifts.
Shahana Akter Kiron, Regional Lead at Textile Genesis, concluded the speaker sessions with an update on digital traceability platforms using blockchain technology.
The event wrapped up with an engaging panel discussion and Q&A session, followed by closing remarks from Mazhar Mirza. Attendees then moved to a networking dinner, where meaningful industry connections continued to grow.
The seminar reaffirmed COTTON USA™’s commitment to sustainability, transparency, and innovation, and highlighted the significant role that Pakistan can play in the future of ethical and efficient textile production.
