Gandhinagar, September 14 (Daily Kiran) : The capital of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, will host the first-ever World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) in South Asia on September 15 and 16. This significant event is expected to attract over 2,000 stakeholders from more than 65 countries, focusing on themes such as resource efficiency, circular finance, innovation, and international collaboration.
The forum will take place at Mahatma Mandir under the theme “Circular Economy: Transforming Lives and Prosperity.” Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, along with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, will inaugurate the event. The opening session will also feature key representatives, including Arjun Modhwadia, Gujarat’s Minister of Forests, Environment, and Climate Change, and diplomats from Finland and the Netherlands.
Organized in collaboration with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, the Finnish government, and Gujarat’s Pollution Control Board, the forum aims to highlight India’s initiatives in circular economy practices. It seeks to strengthen international cooperation, particularly with nations in the Global South.
Discussions will center on attracting private sector investment in circular finance, policy dialogues, and partnerships across various sectors. Topics such as the use of artificial intelligence, job opportunities, energy production, governance, sustainable products, and the startup ecosystem will be explored. An international expo featuring over 125 exhibitors will showcase practical circular economy solutions and innovations ready for investment.
Additionally, the forum will coincide with an in-person meeting of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes (10 YFP) on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, where India recently took on the role of co-chair.
The WCEF will continue on September 17 and 18, featuring 80 accelerator sessions conducted in online, hybrid, and in-person formats, led by global partners. The closing ceremony on September 16 will be attended by key figures, including Finland’s Climate and Environment Minister Sari Multala.
This forum aims to provide a platform for governments, businesses, researchers, and other stakeholders to discuss transitioning from traditional production and consumption models to systems that utilize resources more efficiently and maintain materials in circulation.
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