Second-generation EPR: What does it actually need to do?

Second-generation EPR: What does it actually need to do?

18 Sep 2026 at 11:00–12:30 (UTC+5:30)
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Gandhinagar, India
Session type: In person in Gandhinagar and online
Focus: Finance, Governance, Industry, Materials, System change, Africa, Asia, Australia / Australasia / Oceania, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America
Register See programme
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Decent work and economic growth Industry, innovation and infrastructure Responsible consumption and production Sustainable cities and communities

Organiser(s): Global Action Partnership for Extended Producer Responsibility – a consortium formed by World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), United Nations Environment Programme, PREVENT Waste Alliance, Ellen MacArthur Foundation

EPR schemes are spreading fast, but most still fund collection, sorting and recycling without delivering upstream circular economy outcomes. This session takes stock of what EPR has delivered, what it hasn’t, and what a bolder second-generation EPR needs to look like to drive real circular outcomes.

Inclusive EPR for circular livelihoods: Lessons from Africa

Inclusive EPR for circular livelihoods: Lessons from Africa

18 Sep 2026 at 18:30–20:00 (UTC+2:00)
online, online, South Africa
Session type: Online only
Focus: Employment, Governance, People, System change, Waste, Africa, Asia
Register See programme
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Decent work and economic growth Industry, innovation and infrastructure Partnerships for the goals Reduced inequalities Responsible consumption and production

Organiser(s): African Circular Economy Network

Who ultimately benefits when EPR systems are introduced? Drawing on African evidence-based experience in plastics and e-waste, this session explores how EPR can boost reuse, refurbishment and recycling of these obligated waste streams while protecting and improving informal workers’ livelihoods.

From insight to action: Translating data into regional circular economy strategies

From insight to action: Translating data into regional circular economy strategies

18 Sep 2026 at 12:00–14:00 (UTC+2:00)
Online, Online, Netherlands
Session type: Online only
Focus: Business, Finance, Governance, Materials, System change, Africa, Asia, Australia / Australasia / Oceania, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America
Register See programme
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Decent work and economic growth Industry, innovation and infrastructure Life on land Responsible consumption and production Sustainable cities and communities

Organiser(s): Circular Friesland Association, Circle Economy, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (The Netherlands)

Many regions have circular strategies; few turn them into systemic change. Discover how Friesland (the Netherlands), London (UK) and Bega (Australia) use data, collaboration and long-term governance to move from insight to action, and take away practical lessons for your own region or organisation.

Four shifts to unlock the upstream circular economy

Four shifts to unlock the upstream circular economy

17 Sep 2026 at 10:00–12:00 (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

This session presents insights from the 2025 Global Stocktake of National Circular Economy Roadmaps and Strategies and introduces UNIDO’s Addressing the Source policy guide. It features discussions among policymakers and private sector on four strategic shifts towards an upstream circular economy.

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.

Closing the loop on critical energy transition minerals

Closing the loop on critical energy transition minerals

18 Sep 2026 at 13:00–17:00 (UTC+2:00)
TBD, Gandhinagar, India
Session type: In person in Gandhinagar and online
Focus: Critical minerals, Finance, Governance, Industry, Materials, 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 Decent work and economic growth Gender equality Reduced inequalities

Organiser(s): United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative

This is an official AR5 Expert Consultation of the UN Secretary-General’s CETM Panel. Experts stress-test circular transition scenarios feeding directly into UNEP’s global assessment. Outputs inform multilateral policy, responsible investment and the just energy transition.

Circular solutions to marine plastic pollution

Circular solutions to marine plastic pollution

17 Sep 2026 at 17:30–19:00 (UTC+5:30)
Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Gandhi nagar, India
Session type: In person in Gandhinagar and online
Focus: Data and AI, Governance, Resilience, System change, Africa, Asia, Europe
Register See programme
Related Sustainable Development Goals
Climate action Life below water Responsible consumption and production Sustainable cities and communities

Organiser(s): Royal Norwegian Embassy, New Delhi (Lead) Partners: Consulate General of Norway, Mumbai; Ministry of Climate and Environment, Norway; GRID-Arendal

How can countries move from measuring plastic pollution to implementing circular solutions at scale? This session showcases India–Norway collaboration on data, policy and action. Learn how evidence, partnerships and local implementation can accelerate circularity.

Circular economy: From evidence to transformation

Circular economy: From evidence to transformation

18 Sep 2026 at 11:00–12:30 (UTC+5:30)
Mahatma Mandir convention center, Gandhinagar, India
Session type: In person in Gandhinagar and online
Focus: Employment, Finance, Governance, Materials, System change, Africa, Antarctica, 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): https://www.un-page.org, https://www.unep.org, https://www.ilo.org, https://www.unido.org

What does the evidence really say about the economic case for circularity? Three new PAGE-supported studies trace the story from secondary materials markets to 121–142 million circular jobs to economy-wide impacts — tested live by policymakers, business and finance. Turn evidence into decisions.