COLOMBO, SRI LANKA, Aug. 8, 2025 — Cotton Council International (CCI) recently hosted its first-ever COTTON USA™ Sustainability Seminar in Colombo, Sri Lanka, bringing together key stakeholders from the Sri Lankan and South Asian textile and apparel industries to explore U.S. cotton sourcing opportunities.

The seminar’s 55 attendees spanned the U.S. cotton value chain, representing spinning mills from India, garment and fabric manufacturers from Sri Lanka, and sourcing, sustainability and supply chain professionals.

Attendees heard from sustainability managers, global brands and industry experts about sourcing trends, market dynamics, and tools to demonstrate fiber authenticity and compliance. Speakers spotlighted U.S. cotton as a powerful driver of supply chain trust and long-term business growth.

“Our COTTON USA™ Sustainability Seminar was a unique opportunity to foster informed, business-focused dialogue on how U.S. cotton can support sustainable apparel manufacturing in the region,” said Peush Narang, CCI Representative for India and Sri Lanka. “It also strengthened ties between U.S. cotton suppliers and South Asian manufacturers, encouraged enrollment in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, and sparked new business and sustainability partnerships.” The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is the sustainability program and traceability platform for U.S. cotton.

“The COTTON USA™ Sustainability Seminar empowered Sri Lankan and Indian industry players to position themselves for long-term success by using U.S. cotton—built on a foundation of trust and the unmatched quality of U.S. cotton,” said Narang.