Belgium is hosting the next World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF). From 15 to 18 April 2024 in Brussels, the event jointly organised by the Finnish innovation fund Sitra and the African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA) will bring together business leaders and political decision-makers from the five continents around a number of workshops, notably on the contribution of the circular economy to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The 4,000 participants at WCEF24 will discuss advances in terms of techniques and financing for this sector, but also the inclusion of Africa in the transition to a circular economy. The aim is to promote eco-responsible production and consumption (SDG12) in the food, construction and textile sectors, as well as creating new jobs to respond effectively to global warming and inflation.
This is a major challenge that fits in with the recommendations made in 2023 at the WCEF held in Helsinki, the Finnish capital. “Investors recognise that circular solutions represent good business opportunities while addressing the root causes of major environmental sustainability issues, both climate change and biodiversity loss,” says Sitra.
Read also- AFRICA: the circular economy, an ally for the ecological transition
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), which is committed to promoting waste recycling policies among governments, the African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA), the African Circular Economy Network (ACEN) created in 2017 by South Africa, Nigeria and Rwanda, and the African Development Bank (AfDB), which launched its African Circular Economy Facility (ACEF) in 2021, are the main regional institutions expected to attend the Brussels meeting in spring 2024.
For more information on the event, click here.
Benoit-Ivan Wansi