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United Nations Environment Programme
  • Overview
  • Schedule

UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre Global Dialogue & Youth Day: Circular Economy Model of Waste Management

Monday 17th - Tuesday 18th February 2025: UNEP Global Dialogue

Wednesday 19th February 2025: Youth Day

Venue: UNEP-IETC Office in Osaka, Japan (In-person Dialogue with online connection)

The UNEP-IETC Global Dialogue is a high-level biennial conference aimed to convene key stakeholders, including policymakers, private sector representatives, academia, civil society, and youth, to foster dialogue and develop actionable strategies for advancing circular waste management practices.

Focusing on transformative circular economy models, the Dialogue will open with remarks from UNEP leadership and key partners. The sessions will dive into critical themes such as:

  • Advancing circularity in waste management
  • Integrating the informal sector and gender mainstreaming
  • Strengthening public-private partnerships (PPPs) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
  • Designing innovative policy frameworks to support circular waste management across local, national, and global levels

This Dialogue aspires to serve as a catalyst for collaboration, establishing clear pathways to integrate sustainable practices across sectors. It emphasizes social equity, gender responsiveness, and impactful policy frameworks. Participants will explore insights from global case studies and actively engage in discussions aimed at shaping inclusive, future-ready waste management solutions that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Stay tuned for updates on online registration—coming soon! 

17 Feb 2025

Time & Place
Event Details
09:00
Opening Session The opening session will feature formal remarks from UNEP, the Government of Japan, the Osaka City Government, and key partners, setting the stage for the dialogue’s central theme of advancing circular economy models in waste management.
09:30
Session 1 - Advancing Circularity in Waste Management This session will explore how cities, nations, and regions can transition from linear to circular waste management models. Discussions will address topics such as lifecycle approach, circularity, waste valorisation, waste minimization, recycling innovations, and economic benefits of circularity. Case studies from various countries will highlight successful strategies for transforming waste into valuable resources, reducing environmental impacts and promoting sustainable development.
The target audience are policymakers, practitioners, experts and stakeholders from waste arena, including civil society and informal and underrepresented groups.
14:00
Session 2 - Informal Sector Integration and Gender Mainstreaming in the Circular Economy Model As the global community shifts towards more sustainable practices, integrating the informal sector and addressing gender dynamics in waste management systems have become vital components of a successful circular economy. Informal waste workers, particularly women, are key actors in recycling and resource recovery efforts, yet they often face social exclusion, economic marginalization, and systemic challenges. This technical session will explore the critical intersections of informal sector integration and gender mainstreaming in circular economy models of waste management. The session will focus on how gender roles and dynamics influence waste management practices, drawing on comprehensive gender analysis and case studies. It will discuss how integrating informal sectors and promoting a just transition towards a circular economy can enhance resource recovery, minimize waste, and create more inclusive waste management systems
16:00
Concluding session Closing remarks from UNEP, Global Environment Center Foundation, and Institute for Global Environmental Strategies

18 Feb 2025

Time & Place
Event Details
09:00
Session 3 - Public-Private Partnerships and EPR Schemes as Opportunities for Circularity in Waste Sector This session will focus on how PPPs and EPR schemes can drive the circular economy agenda in waste sector. Discussions will revolve around collaborative initiatives involving private and public sector that can serve both parties’ interests while contributing to reducing waste generation, enhancing recycling and supporting the transition to a circular economy. EPR schemes may be one of the best tools for this purpose, with the capacity to promote resource efficiency in closed-loop systems, through the establishment of PPPs and business-oriented mechanisms with societal environmental goals.
14:00
Session 4 - Circular Waste Management Policies As the global community strives towards sustainable development, circular economy models have emerged as a critical solution for addressing waste management challenges. Policymakers and industry leaders are increasingly recognising the need to transition from linear waste management practices to more circular, resource-efficient systems. Achieving this shift requires well-designed policies and regulatory frameworks that incentivise circular practices, promote resource recovery, and ensure waste minimisation.
Session 4: Circular Waste Management Policies aims to provide a platform for in-depth discussions on the development and implementation of public and industry policy frameworks that support the circular economy model for sustainable waste management. This session will build upon the discussions from previous sessions, focusing on how governments, industry, and other stakeholders can create enabling environments for circular economy practices at local, national, and regional levels.

19 Feb 2025

Time & Place
Event Details
09:30
Special Session – Driving Change Youth Leadership in the Circular Economy and Zero Waste Waste management has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, and youth, representing a significant portion of the global population, play an essential role in addressing this issue through innovative solutions, policy advocacy, education, and action. This session, "Youth Leadership in Zero Waste: Global Approaches and Solutions," will bring together youth leaders from diverse regions to showcase their contributions to waste management and their unique approaches toward achieving zero waste.

The event will feature keynote speeches on the importance of youth engagement, emphasizing the power of young people to lead sustainable change. A hands-on workshop will invite university students from the Osaka region to brainstorm ways to integrate circular economy concepts into everyday life. Additionally, panel discussions will include youth leaders working on sustainable waste management across different regions and fields, inspiring other young people, policymakers, practitioners, and the public to adopt and support youth-led initiatives. This gathering highlights the transformative power of youth as key drivers in the transition to a more sustainable and circular economy.
Did you know?
Only 12 per cent of cities have air quality measures that meet WHO standards.

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