P4 Catalysts of change: Youth leadership and innovations in the circular economy​

P4 Catalysts of change: Youth leadership and innovations in the circular economy​

16 Sep 2026 at 16:00–17:00 (UTC+5:30)
Session type: Plenary
Focus: Business, Education, People, System change, Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia / Australasia / Oceania, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals
Decent work and economic growth Industry, innovation and infrastructure Partnerships for the goals Quality education

This session explores how young leaders are driving behavioural and systemic change by developing innovative circular solutions, challenging conventional approaches and building the businesses of the future. As the circular economy creates new opportunities for entrepreneurship, skills development and employment, empowering the next generation will be essential for accelerating the global transition. The session will showcase inspiring youth-led innovations, success stories and international collaboration, demonstrating how young people are shaping a more circular, resilient and inclusive economy.

Organiser(s): Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund

Related main events

See full programme

P2 Governance framework for the circular economy​

P2 Governance framework for the circular economy​

15 Sep 2026 at 16:30–17:30 (UTC+5:30)
Session type: Plenary
Focus: Business, Design, Governance, System change, Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia / Australasia / Oceania, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals
Industry, innovation and infrastructure Partnerships for the goals Peace, justice and strong institutions Responsible consumption and production

This session explores the governance frameworks, policy instruments and regulatory approaches that enable the transition to a circular economy. Effective governance is essential for creating the conditions that drive circular business models, sustainable product design, secondary material markets and investment, while ensuring implementation across national, state and local levels. The session will showcase how policy frameworks such as circular economy road maps, extended producer responsibility, ecodesign regulations, fiscal incentives and digital compliance mechanisms can accelerate the transition from ambition to action.

Organiser(s): Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund

Related main events

See full programme

PS16 Start-up ecosystems for the circular economy​

PS16 Start-up ecosystems for the circular economy​

16 Sep 2026 at 14:30–15:30 (UTC+5:30)
Session type: Parallel
Track: Growth
Focus: Business, Finance, Industry, Resilience, Africa, Asia
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals
Industry, innovation and infrastructure Responsible consumption and production

This session will explore how innovative financing mechanisms and risk-mitigation approaches can accelerate the growth of circular economy start-ups in emerging markets. The conversation will then spotlight practical examples of value chain partnerships that have enabled circular businesses to scale. Participants will leave with an understanding of what makes circular ventures investable, how next-gen blended finance and guarantees can crowd in private capital, and what role large corporates can play in creating demand and market certainty.  

Organiser(s): World Economic Forum

Related main events

See full programme

PS11 Ecodesign for sustainable products and a circular economy​

PS11 Ecodesign for sustainable products and a circular economy​

16 Sep 2026 at 11:30–12:30 (UTC+5:30)
Session type: Parallel
Track: Governance
Focus: Business, Design, Governance, System change, Asia, Europe, North America
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals
Affordable and clean energy Industry, innovation and infrastructure Partnerships for the goals Responsible consumption and production

This session explores how policy frameworks and regulatory approaches can support the development of circular and sustainable products while creating a more level playing field for businesses across global value chains. As countries and regions seek to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, ecodesign policies are emerging as powerful tools for shaping markets, driving innovation, and improving product sustainability. Bringing together perspectives from India, the European Union and other leading regions, the discussion will examine how ecodesign requirements are influencing product design, resource efficiency, durability, repairability and recyclability.

Organiser(s): Chatham House, Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Related main events

See full programme

PS8 Financing circular growth: Mobilising private capital​

PS8 Financing circular growth: Mobilising private capital​

15 Sep 2026 at 15:00–16:00 (UTC+5:30)
Session type: Parallel
Track: Growth
Focus: Business, Finance, System change, Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia / Australasia / Oceania, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals
Climate action Decent work and economic growth Industry, innovation and infrastructure Partnerships for the goals Responsible consumption and production

Circularity is increasingly recognised not only as an environmental priority but as an economic necessity. While policy frameworks and taxonomies have laid the groundwork, the next challenge is to turn these foundations into scalable financial flows and practical implementation. This session demonstrates how unlocking circular economy finance will require complementary funding instruments and coordinated action by public and private actors across the value chain, leaving the participants with a clearer understanding of the drivers and tools for this.

Organiser(s): UNEP Finance Initiative, Observer Research Foundation (ORF)

Related main events

See full programme

PS4 Application of AI: Next-gen tech for a circular economy​

PS4 Application of AI: Next-gen tech for a circular economy​

15 Sep 2026 at 12:00–13:00 (UTC+5:30)
Session type: Parallel
Track: Growth
Focus: Business, Data and AI, System change, Asia, Europe, North America
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals
Climate action Decent work and economic growth Industry, innovation and infrastructure Partnerships for the goals Responsible consumption and production

Artificial intelligence is emerging as the connective tissue of the circular economy, adding the visibility, prediction and optimisation needed to fragmented lifecycle data to make circular business models competitive. This session examines how AI can shift the economics in favor of circularity, using the automotive sector as the proving ground and India as the geography. 

Related main events

See full programme