Four shifts to unlock the upstream circular economy

Four shifts to unlock the upstream circular economy

17 Sep 2026 at 10:00–13:00 (UTC+5:30)
The Leela Gandhinagar & Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar, India
Session type: In person only in Gandhinagar
Focus: Business, Governance, Industry, Materials, System change, Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean
Register See programme
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Climate action Decent work and economic growth Industry, innovation and infrastructure Partnerships for the goals Responsible consumption and production

Organiser(s): UNIDO | United Nations Industrial Development Organization

Join an interactive workshop with Indian and international participants to explore lessons from UNIDO’s Global Stocktake of circular economy policies, learn about the new Addressing the Source Policy Guide, and discover four key shifts to advance upstream circular economy solutions across policy and industry.

Finland Day

Finland Day

17 Sep 2026 at 08:30–11:30 (UTC+5:30)
The Leela Gandhinagar, Gandhinagar, India
Session type: In person in Gandhinagar and online
Focus: Built environment, Business, Energy, Industry, Resilience, Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia / Australasia / Oceania, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America
Register See programme
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Affordable and clean energy Good health and well-being Industry, innovation and infrastructure Partnerships for the goals Sustainable cities and communities

Organiser(s): Embassy of Finland in New Delhi

Finland Day at WCEF2026 showcases how Finnish and Indian partners are advancing circular solutions in maritime systems, healthcare, energy, the built environment and sports infrastructure. Join us to explore scalable innovations, partnerships and investment opportunities. Please note that the event continues with sessions and networking until the evening (see programme).

Financing circularity: Growing opportunities for financiers

Financing circularity: Growing opportunities for financiers

17 Sep 2026 at 14:00–15:30 (UTC+5:30)
Radisson hotel Gift City Gandhinagar, Gandhinagar, India
Session type: In person only in Gandhinagar
Focus: Business, Critical minerals, Energy, Finance, Food, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean
Register See programme
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Climate action Decent work and economic growth Industry, innovation and infrastructure Responsible consumption and production

Organiser(s): Enabel, Sitra

This session will present the challenges and—even more—the opportunities of financing the circular economy. It will guide entrepreneurs to better understand their financiers. It will help financiers look at their clients with a longer-term view, becoming more resilient in a fast-changing world.

Financeable circular waste pilots

Financeable circular waste pilots

17 Sep 2026 at 15:00–16:30 (UTC+5:30)
Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, India
Session type: In person only in Gandhinagar
Focus: Business, Finance, Governance, Materials, Waste, Asia, Europe
Register See programme
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Decent work and economic growth Industry, innovation and infrastructure Partnerships for the goals Responsible consumption and production Sustainable cities and communities

Organiser(s): Netherlands Enterprise Agency | RVO.nl, Dutch embassy and other missions – India | The Netherlands and India

The session connects stakeholders around solutions, innovations, markets, finance and policy. Participants use lessons from the Netherlands–India programme on building partnerships and scaling circular waste initiatives that can inform and inspire similar efforts globally.

Enabling circular and climate transitions for MSMEs

Enabling circular and climate transitions for MSMEs

17 Sep 2026 at 10:30–12:00 (UTC+5:30)
Conference Room 3, Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Gandhinagar, India
Session type: In person only in Gandhinagar
Focus: Business, Finance, Governance, Industry, System change, Africa, Asia, Australia / Australasia / Oceania, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America
Register See programme
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Climate action Decent work and economic growth Industry, innovation and infrastructure Partnerships for the goals Responsible consumption and production

Organiser(s): The Lead Organisations are:

Ideia Circular (Brazil), Centre for Responsible Business (India), Noz Institute,  Centre for African Resource Efficiency & Sustainability, Confederation of Indian Industry – Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development (India), Sebrae Sustainability Centre (Brazil), Climate and Society Institute (Brazil).

How can the circular economy move beyond frontrunners to reach millions of MSMEs? Join practitioners, policymakers and business support organisations to explore practical pathways, emerging experiences and collaborative solutions from India, Brazil, South Africa and beyond.

Driving circular economy through digital governance

Driving circular economy through digital governance

17 Sep 2026 at 11:30–13:00 (UTC+5:30)
TBC, Gandhinagar, India
Session type: In person only in Gandhinagar
Focus: Business, Data and AI, Governance, People, Waste, Asia
Register See programme
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Industry, innovation and infrastructure Life below water Partnerships for the goals Responsible consumption and production Sustainable cities and communities

Organiser(s): GIZ India

Explore how digital governance, community action and innovation are advancing the circular economy in India. Discover practical solutions for waste management, resource recovery, traceability and citizen engagement, with approaches that can be scaled across the Global South.

Circularity as a tool for transforming mining

Circularity as a tool for transforming mining

18 Sep 2026 at 17:30–19:00 (UTC+5:30)
Mining Hub / Online, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Session type: In person elsewhere and online
Focus: Business, Critical minerals, Industry, Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia / Australasia / Oceania, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America
Register See programme
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Climate action Industry, innovation and infrastructure Responsible consumption and production Sustainable cities and communities

Organiser(s): Vale S.A. and the Mining Hub

How can the circular economy transform mining? Vale S.A. and the Mining Hub invite you to discover practical experiences, challenges and approaches to unlock value from mining residues in a collaborative discussion on how to make the mining sector more sustainable and efficient.

Circular talks: Financing and shaping the circular transition

Circular talks: Financing and shaping the circular transition

17 Sep 2026 at 17:30–19:30 (UTC+5:30)
Av. Paulista, 1313, São Paulo, Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
Session type: In person elsewhere and online
Focus: Business, Finance, Industry, Latin America and the Caribbean
Register See programme
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Climate action Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Organiser(s): The Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo (FIESP), The Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI), The Circular Economy Coalition for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEC)

This session will explore opportunities and challenges in unlocking finance for circular business models, with a focus on engaging value chains and SMEs. It will also examine how public policies and decision-makers can reduce barriers and accelerate the transition through practical examples.

Scaling Circular Business: From Innovation to Investment and Partnerships

Scaling Circular Business: From Innovation to Investment and Partnerships

17 Sep 2026 at 14:00–16:00 (UTC+5:00)
Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre (Seminar Hall 1)   , Gandinagar, India
Session type: In person in Gandhinagar and online
Focus: Business, Design, Industry, Materials, Asia, Europe
Register See programme
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Climate action Industry, innovation and infrastructure Responsible consumption and production

Organiser(s): EU SWITCH-Asia Programme,
Centre for Responsible Business,

Why do some circular businesses scale while others remain pilots? This session explores how enterprises in South and Southeast Asia build market access, partnerships, financing and investment readiness, with practical insights for businesses, investors, policymakers and support organisations.

Circular finance ecosystems for emerging markets

Circular finance ecosystems for emerging markets

18 Sep 2026 at 15:30–17:00 (UTC+5:30)
Tbc, Gandhinagar, India
Session type: In person in Gandhinagar and online
Focus: Business, Finance, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean
Register See programme
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Decent work and economic growth Partnerships for the goals Responsible consumption and production Sustainable cities and communities

Organiser(s): GIZ, Expertise France

How can circular economy solutions be financed at scale? This session explores circular finance ecosystems in Africa, Sri Lanka and Brazil, highlighting practical approaches to mobilising investment and accelerating inclusive circular transitions.