Zero Waste Futures: Youth Leadership and Solutions from the Asia Pacific to the Caribbean

 Zero Waste Futures: Youth Leadership and Solutions from the Asia Pacific to the Caribbean 

Organizers: UNEP (Caribbean Sub-Regional Office and International Environment Technology Centre), Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP (CYMG)

Date/Time: Tuesday, 26th March 2024  
- 10 AM – 11:30 AM Kingston, Jamaica  
- 4 PM – 5:30 PM Paris, France  
- 6 PM – 7:30 PM Nairobi, Kenya  

Location: Zoom Webinar (the event will be recorded)

Background: Join us as we observe the second International Day of Zero Waste, emphasizing youth leadership and innovative solutions from the Asia Pacific to the Caribbean. In December 2022, the United Nations General Assembly designated 30th March as the International Day of Zero Waste, recognizing the critical need for global action on waste reduction and sustainable practices.

This year, UNEP's Caribbean Sub-Regional Office (under the EU-funded project in collaboration with CARIFORUM Zero Waste in the Caribbean: New Ways, New Waves), International Environment Technology Centre, and Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP are co-organizing an online event aimed at promoting zero waste initiatives and inspiring youth engagement. 

Through engaging sessions led by expert speakers and youth representatives from diverse regions, attendees will gain insights into the global waste management landscape, learn about impactful initiatives, and discover actionable steps towards a circular economy. With a focus on collaboration and collective action, this event serves as a platform for fostering dialogue, inspiring change, and catalyzing a global shift towards zero waste.

Moderator: Mario Galbert (CYMG) 

Speakers: 

Opening

• Jacqueline Alvarez | Chief of the UNEP Chemicals and Health Branch
• Vincent Sweeney | Head, UNEP Caribbean Sub-Regional Office

Session 1

• Zoë Lenkiewic | Lead Author of GWMO2024
• Aditi Ramola | Technical Director, International Solid Waste Association
• Shanta King | Regional Project Coordinator, UNEP
• Maria Hughes | Associate Programme Management Officer, UNEP

Session 2

• Mathias Charles | Lebanon | Live Love Recycle
• Nobuhle Zulu | South Africa | Captain Fanplastic
• Nav Agarwal | India | One Step Greener
• Rabeb Aloui | Tunisia | Environmental Journalist

Agenda:
0:00 – 0:10: Welcome & Opening Remarks  
  - Jacqueline Alvarez 
  - Vincent Sweeney 

0:10 – 0:45: Session 1: Overview of Zero Waste Initiatives  
  - Overview of the Global Waste Management Outlook 2024 by Zoë Lenkiewic (video recorded) / Aditi Ramola 
  - Caribbean Region: “Zero Waste in the Caribbean: New Ways, New Waves” Project by Shanta King
  - Asia and the Pacific Region: Overview of Zero Waste Initiatives by Maria Hughes
  - Q&A 

0:45 – 1:25: Session 2: Youth Leading the Charge: Towards Zero Waste (By CYMG)  
  - Overview and Introduction of the session  
  - A panel discussion featuring youth representatives from various regions  
  - Moderated discussion on challenges, successes, and innovative approaches  
  - Call to Action and Q&A

1:25 – 1:30: Closing