Gandhinagar, September 15 (Daily Kiran) : The World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026 commenced on September 15 in Gandhinagar, inaugurated by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. This tenth edition of the forum brings together policymakers, business leaders, researchers, and innovators from around the globe to explore ways to enhance economic development through resource efficiency and sustainability.
Running from September 15 to 18, the four-day event is themed “Circular Economy: Transforming Lives and Prosperity.” It marks the first time this forum is being held in India and is also the inaugural WCEF event in South Asia.
More than 3,600 stakeholders from 62 countries are participating, including business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, policymakers, and academics. The forum features an exhibition showcasing practical solutions related to the circular economy, with 135 national and international exhibitors displaying their innovations.
In his inaugural address, Chief Minister Patel highlighted that hosting the WCEF in South Asia reflects India’s growing global leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He emphasized that the forum should embody the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” by developing practical circular economy solutions for the world.
Patel also shared Gujarat’s experience in balancing industrial development with environmental protection. He noted that the state’s initiatives in renewable energy, waste management, and resource efficiency serve as models that can be shared internationally.
Union Minister Yadav stressed the importance of collaboration among countries and sectors for advancing the circular economy. He pointed out that no nation, company, or community can complete the resource cycle alone. India’s approach to the circular economy is supported by regulatory reforms and digital compliance systems, which include the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework for various waste types.
As of August 2026, over 83,000 producers and 4,802 recyclers were registered under different EPR frameworks, processing approximately 48.224 million metric tons of waste across various regulated categories.
This event is jointly organized by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, the Finnish government, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Gujarat government, and the Gujarat Pollution Control Board.
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