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

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P3 From material dependency to material security: Circular strategies for critical raw materials​

P3 From material dependency to material security: Circular strategies for critical raw materials​

16 Sep 2026 at 10:00–11:00 (UTC+5:30)
Session type: Plenary
Focus: Critical minerals, Governance, Industry, Resilience, Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia / Australasia / Oceania, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals
Affordable and clean energy Industry, innovation and infrastructure Life on land Responsible consumption and production

This session explores how circular economy approaches can strengthen material security by reducing dependency on virgin resources and unlocking new sources of critical raw materials. Critical raw materials are essential for clean energy technologies, digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and many other sectors that underpin the global transition to a sustainable economy. As demand continues to grow for these materials, ensuring secure, resilient and sustainable access has become a strategic priority for governments, businesses and investors worldwide.

Organiser(s): Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund

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P1 India’s circular economy vision​

P1 India’s circular economy vision​

15 Sep 2026 at 10:30–11:30 (UTC+5:30)
Session type: Plenary
Focus: Governance, Industry, Resilience, 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 Responsible consumption and production

This session explores India’s vision for advancing the circular economy in a resource-constrained world and the country’s growing role in shaping global circular pathways. As global resource consumption continues to rise, scalable circular solutions are becoming essential for sustainable development, with the Global South playing an increasingly important role in driving innovation and implementation. The session will provide a global perspective on the state of the circular economy while showcasing India’s leadership through national and state-level initiatives, business innovation and industrial strategies that demonstrate how circularity can support economic growth, resilience and resource security.

Organiser(s): Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund

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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