On 14th September 2021, The United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization organised in close collaboration with the European Union (European Commission – Directorate General for the Environment) the first high-level meeting of GACERE, as a side event during the World Circular Economy Forum.
The first high-level meeting provided an opportunity for GACERE members to convene and take stock of progress in the Alliance’s work since its launch in February 2021, as well as to agree on future priorities. The meeting provided a platform for GACERE members to discuss progress in developing knowledge products highlighting the interlinkages between the circular economy, climate change, green recovery and biodiversity.
The high-level meeting also facilitated discussions on experiences in promoting a just transition towards a resource-efficient and circular economy in GACERE member countries, as well as existing gaps and barriers where support from the Alliance could be instrumental.
Audience: GACERE members. Additional governments, international organizations and strategic partners may also join the session as observers.
Contact: Claire Thiebault, UNEP Economy Division, claire.thiebault [at] un.org (claire[dot]thiebault[at]un[dot]org)
Tuesday, 14 September; 12.00 – 14.00 CEST (UTC+2) / 6:00 to 8:00 EDT (UTC-4)
Online event
12.00 – 12.05: Welcome and housekeeping
- Moderator of the event: Mr. Stephan Sicars, Managing Director, Environment and Energy Directorate, UNIDO
12.05 – 12.15: Opening remarks
- Mr. Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, European Union
- Mr. Li Yong, Director General, UNIDO
12.15 – 12.30: Keynote - Circular economy as a solution to the triple planetary crises and the potential role of GACERE
- Mr. Janez Potočnik, Co-Chair of the International Resource Panel and Partner of Systemiq
12.30 – 12.50: Discussion 1: Circular Economy and Biodiversity
- Ms. Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya, Minister of Environment, Rwanda
- Mr. Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, European Union
- Ms. Inger Andersen, Executive Director, UNEP: Circularity: a breakthrough strategy to tackle biodiversity loss
- Mr. Jocelyn Blériot, Executive Lead Institutions, Governments & Cities, Ellen MacArthur Foundation
12.50 – 13.00: Discussion 2: Circular Economy and the Green Recovery
- Dr. Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and Environment, Singapore
- Mr. Jyrki Katainen, President of Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund
13.00 – 13.40: Discussion 3: Circular Economy and Climate Change
- Ms. Carolina Schmidt, Environment Minister, Chile
- Mr. Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, India
- Mr. Shinjiro Koizumi, Minister of Environment, Japan
- Mr. Aziz Rabbah, Minister of Energy, Mines and Environment, Morocco
- Ms. Jeoung-ae Han, Minister of Environment, Republic of Korea
- Ms. Stientje van Veldhoven, Vice President and Regional Director, Europe, World Resources Institute, and Board Member, Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE)
13.40 – 13.55: Keynote - Circular Economy and the Future
- Mr. Al-Hamdou Dorsouma, Acting Director for Climate Change & Green Growth, African Development Bank
13.55 – 14.00: Presentation of future plans of GACERE, summary and event close
- Ms. Inger Andersen, Executive Director, UNEP
The recording of the online event is available below:
The main conclusions of the event can be downloaded here.