Gandhinagar to Host Inaugural World Circular Economy Forum in South Asia
World Circular Economy Forum Kicks Off in Gandhinagar
Photo: IANS
Gandhinagar, September 14: The capital of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, is set to host the inaugural World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) in South Asia, attracting over 2,000 participants from more than 65 nations. The forum aims to address topics such as resource efficiency, circular finance, innovation, and global collaboration.
Scheduled for September 15-16 at Mahatma Mandir, the event will revolve around the theme ‘Circular Economy: Transition for People and Prosperity’.
The opening ceremony will be jointly led by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, alongside Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
Notable attendees include state ministers, the Finnish Ambassador to India, Mikko Kivikoski, and representatives from various governmental and environmental organizations.
This forum is a collaborative effort involving the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, the Government of Finland, and the Gujarat Pollution Control Board.
Emphasizing the principles of the circular economy, the forum seeks to promote practices that extend the lifecycle of materials through reuse, refurbishment, and recycling, ultimately reintegrating them into the economy as valuable resources.
It aims to highlight India's initiatives in this sector while fostering international partnerships, particularly with nations in the Global South.
The gathering will unite business leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, policymakers, and other key stakeholders.
Key discussions will revolve around mobilizing circular finance, encouraging private-sector investments, and fostering innovation and technology for circularity.
The main agenda for September 15 and 16 includes four plenary sessions and 16 thematic discussions.
Topics will cover the use of Artificial Intelligence, job creation, energy production, financial strategies, governance, sustainable products, industrial innovations, start-up ecosystems, and youth leadership.
An international expo will showcase over 125 exhibitors, presenting practical circular-economy solutions from start-ups and innovations ready for investment.
Additionally, the forum will coincide with an in-person meeting of the Board of the 10 Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (10 YFP) in Gandhinagar on September 15.
India has recently taken on the role of co-chair for the 10 YFP Board, which focuses on promoting sustainable consumption and production practices.
The broader WCEF agenda will extend to September 17 and 18, featuring 80 accelerator sessions organized by global partners in various formats across Gandhinagar and other locations worldwide.
Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh, is expected to attend the closing ceremony on September 16.
Other dignitaries, including Finland’s Minister of Climate and Environment, Sari Multala, and various state ministers, will also be present.
The event will conclude with the formal handover of the forum to its next host by a representative from Sitra.
This edition aims to create a platform for governments, businesses, researchers, and other stakeholders to explore pathways for transitioning from traditional production and consumption models to more resource-efficient systems that keep materials in circulation.