Apparel manufacturer Brandix served as main partner for the opening day of CATALYZE 2026, a UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka initiative focused on advancing sustainable business practices with emphasis on social dimensions.

Brandix partnered with the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka to support CATALYZE 2026, a business sustainability summit held on 24 June at Colombo's Courtyard by Marriott. The opening day, themed around social sustainability, brought together industry leaders and practitioners to discuss how organisations can integrate sustainability with greater purpose and measurable impact.

The summit's first day concentrated on social aspects of sustainable development, including human rights protections, gender equality initiatives, workplace inclusion, and strengthening community resilience. A notable discussion examined how leadership approaches are evolving to foster inclusive work environments, with particular attention to men's roles in advancing workplace inclusion across organisations.

Taiyoob Ahamed, Senior General Manager of Marketing at Brandix, contributed to these discussions, emphasising that sustainable inclusion requires more than written policies. "Culture is not built through statements alone. It is shaped by the choices leaders make every day, the behaviours they encourage, and the environments they create for people to succeed," he stated during the forum.

Brandix positioned people as central to its operations and value chain, noting that modern customers and stakeholders evaluate companies not only on products but on operational practices, workplace ethics, safety standards, and cultural inclusivity. The company described its commitment to supporting women's advancement into leadership positions, creating environments where employees feel comfortable voicing concerns, and fostering cross-generational and cross-cultural learning within its workforce.