PS13 Skills and reskilling for circular industries​

PS13 Skills and reskilling for circular industries​

16 Sep 2026 at 14:30–15:30 (UTC+5:30)
Session type: Parallel
Track: People
Focus: Education, Employment, People, 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 Responsible consumption and production

The session discusses the critical need for circular economy skills in emerging economies, particularly India, to address resource efficiency and job creation. It highlights the risks of increasing resource extraction and e-waste, alongside the transformative potential of new skills in repair, refurbishment and circular entrepreneurship. The session aims to connect global evidence with India-specific opportunities for a just and inclusive green transition.

Organiser(s): International Council for Circular Economy (ICCE), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, NetZero Energy Transition Association (NETRA)

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PS14 Circular solutions and business models in ICT and electronics industries​

PS14 Circular solutions and business models in ICT and electronics industries​

16 Sep 2026 at 14:30–15:30 (UTC+5:30)
Session type: Parallel
Track: Business
Focus: Critical minerals, Data and AI, Materials, Waste, 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 Responsible consumption and production

This session examines strategies for extending the working life of ICT and electronics equipment through reuse and refurbishment business models. It explores how recovering critical minerals from e-waste can build resilient secondary markets and reduce dependence on virgin extraction. Global technology firms, Indian innovators and industry associations will discuss practical solutions and partnerships needed to scale circular ICT value chains.

Organiser(s): Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI), Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (CMET), Recycling and Environment Industry Association of India

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PS15 Circular bioeconomy: From biomass to value-added products​

PS15 Circular bioeconomy: From biomass to value-added products​

16 Sep 2026 at 14:30–15:30 (UTC+5:30)
Session type: Parallel
Track: Governance
Focus: Bioeconomy, Industry, Materials, Nature, 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 Life on land Responsible consumption and production

Scaling the circular bioeconomy can support sustainable development by creating value from sustainably sourced biological resources, fostering innovation and livelihoods, and reducing reliance on finite and carbon-intensive resources. However, bio-based production is not inherently sustainable and can drive land-use change, ecosystem degradation, resource competition and unequal outcomes. This session explores how circular economy principles, context-specific approaches, effective safeguards, and robust data, monitoring and evaluation are necessary to shape bioeconomy strategies that are resource-efficient, nature-positive, socially just and grounded in local knowledge and livelihoods.

Organiser(s): United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Africa Circular

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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

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PS9 Inclusive circular economy and growth​

PS9 Inclusive circular economy and growth​

16 Sep 2026 at 11:30–12:30 (UTC+5:30)
Session type: Parallel
Track: People
Focus: Employment, People, Resilience, Waste, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals
Decent work and economic growth No poverty Reduced inequalities Responsible consumption and production Sustainable cities and communities

This session explores how inclusive circular economy policies, business models and partnerships can empower waste pickers and other informal workers as key agents of resource recovery, decent work and equitable economic growth while advancing a just transition to circularity.

Organiser(s): United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), The Alliance of Indian Wastepickers (AIW)

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PS10 Circular economy value chains in the textile sector​

PS10 Circular economy value chains in the textile sector​

16 Sep 2026 at 11:30–12:30 (UTC+5:30)
Session type: Parallel
Track: Business
Focus: Design, Finance, Industry, 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

This session will explore how circular economy approaches can transform textile value chains through innovative policies, business models, financing mechanisms and multi-stakeholder partnerships. Drawing on global and Indian experiences, the discussion will highlight practical strategies for reducing environmental impacts while creating economic opportunities, green jobs and resilient circular textile systems. Participants will gain insights into scaling circularity through collaboration among governments, industry, financial institutions and international organisations.

Organiser(s): United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

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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)

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PS12 Waste as resource: Industrial symbiosis as an engine of circular growth​

PS12 Waste as resource: Industrial symbiosis as an engine of circular growth​

16 Sep 2026 at 11:30–12:30 (UTC+5:30)
Session type: Parallel
Track: Growth
Focus: Governance, Industry, Materials, 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 Responsible consumption and production

The session will explore practical pathways for advancing industrial symbiosis at scale by addressing the market, system and governance barriers that constrain resource exchange and collaboration among industries. It will examine how waste-to-resource exchange platforms, digital platforms for circular resource management, managed industrial cooperation networks, cluster-based circular economy models and Eco-Industrial Parks can unlock circular resource flows.

Organiser(s): Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC), Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund

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PS5 Employment potential in the circular economy​

PS5 Employment potential in the circular economy​

15 Sep 2026 at 15:00–16:00 (UTC+5:30)
Session type: Parallel
Track: People
Focus: Education, Employment, People, 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 Responsible consumption and production

As circular economy strategies gain momentum, new jobs are emerging, linear economy jobs are being displaced, and existing circular economy jobs are being transformed, creating both opportunity and urgency around employment in a circular economy. This session examines how these changes are unfolding, and addresses the policies, investments and business models needed to make circular economy employment economically viable, technologically advanced and socially inclusive. It offers participants evidence-based insights into good, sustainable work in the circular economy.

Organiser(s): Circle Economy, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW)

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PS6 Circularity in energy production​

PS6 Circularity in energy production​

15 Sep 2026 at 15:00–16:00 (UTC+5:30)
Session type: Parallel
Track: Business
Focus: Critical minerals, Design, Energy, Materials, 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

A growing demand for energy is leading to increased raw material extraction for use in creating the infrastructure and accompanying systems. Globally, investments in energy systems are growing, with countries seeking to meet climate commitments through increased capacity coming from renewable sources. To avoid unintended consequences and preserve the long-term value of natural resource inputs, the deployment of new energy systems must be led by design considerations that ensure durability, adaptability and reduced waste generation through the lifecycle and after use.

Organiser(s): Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

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