India is set to host the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific, which will take place in Jaipur from 3-5 March 2025.
The event will bring together policymakers, experts, and industry leaders to discuss strategies for transitioning towards a resource-efficient and sustainable circular economy. The Forum aims to promote waste reduction, recycling, and reusing strategies, aligning with global sustainability goals.
Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal, while addressing a curtain-raiser event in New Delhi, shared that over 500 participants from India and abroad are expected to attend.
The conference will feature plenary sessions, discussions, and networking opportunities. Delegates will also have the chance to visit solid and liquid waste management facilities in Jaipur and explore key heritage sites.
A special highlight of the Forum will be the ‘India Pavilion,’ which will showcase the country’s initiatives and achievements in the circular economy sector. This Pavilion will feature exhibitions from key ministries and national missions, presenting a whole-of-government approach to sustainable development.
It will also serve as a hub for interactive knowledge-sharing through dialogues, policy discussions, and the signing of agreements under the CITIIS 2.0 programme.
Additionally, a compendium of over 100 best practices in circular economy and waste management, prepared by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), will be launched.
Another key feature of the Forum is the international ‘3R trade and technology exhibition,’ where over 40 businesses and start-ups from India and Japan will showcase innovative ideas and solutions for sustainability.
Waste-to-wealth initiatives by NGOs and self-help groups will also be presented, encouraging sustainability-driven entrepreneurship.
The Forum will conclude with the adoption of the ‘Jaipur Declaration,’ which will provide a policy framework to support the transition to a resource-efficient, circular economy across Asia-Pacific nations.
This Declaration, covering the period from 2025-2034, builds upon the Hanoi Declaration (2013-2023) and aims to guide participating countries in developing effective 3R and circular economy policies.
It will be a voluntary and legally non-binding agreement, setting the direction for future collaborations in the region.
Launched by the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) in 2009, the Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum serves as a strategic platform to provide policy guidance to governments across Asia and the Pacific.
The Forum supports the mainstreaming of circular economy principles and facilitates knowledge-sharing on sustainable waste management practices. The last edition was hosted by Cambodia in 2023, while India previously hosted the Forum in Indore in 2018.
The 12th edition is being led by the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in collaboration with Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), UNCRD, and other United Nations agencies.
The event is also receiving support from the Government of Rajasthan.
With participation expected from 38 member countries, 15 Indian government ministries, representatives from all states and union territories, over 60 cities, and more than 40 businesses and start-ups, the Forum will be a platform for meaningful policy discussions.
Around 120 speakers will contribute insights on how to strengthen circular economy initiatives and accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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