Background
The Asia-Pacific is the world's most populous and dynamic region in the world. It accounts for approximately two-thirds to global growth[1], and 63 per cent of the global material use[2]. Over decades of rapid urbanization, the region has seen the creation of new urban infrastructure, a rise in people's purchasing power due to economic growth, the development of new industries, and the establishment of major manufacturing hubs. While rapid economic growth has led to higher living standards, it is also diminishing the region’s resource efficiency and natural capital – shrinking forests, declining biodiversity, disappearing wetlands and water resources, among others, while resulting in growing volume and diversification waste streams such as but not limited to the municipal solid waste, industrial waste, agricultural waste, plastic waste, e-waste, and hazardous and chemical waste, among others. Given the weight of Asia Pacific’s economic growth and resource consumption globally, any improvement in Asia Pacific’s resource efficiency will have significant global impacts.
The high level Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia was launched in 2009 with the financial support of the Ministry of the Environment of the Government of Japan. The primary objective of the Forum was to offer strategic policy advice to national government authorities on integrating 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and the circular economy principles into overall policy, planning, and development, including infrastructure development. The Forum brings high-level governmental decision-makers from relevant line Ministries of countries across Asia and the Pacific to discuss strategies for achieving resource efficiency, sustainable sustainable consumption and production, integrated solid waste management, sound material cycles, low-carbon initiatives, and green growth development towards creating a zero-waste society. Additionally, the Forum serves as a platform for knowledge sharing, facilitating the dissemination of best practices in 3R and circular economy areas, and addressing new and emerging issues in waste management sector. Moreover, the Forum aims to strengthen the science-policy interface, focusing on 3R and resource efficiency as fundamental drivers of economic growth, environmental protection, and for improving resilience of cities and communities. The Forum aims to accelerate the achievement of international agendas and agreements such as the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement, among others.
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including sea levels rise, extreme weather events, and ocean acidification. They also experience limited economic diversification, relying heavily on imported fossil fuels and materials, and highly dependent on a few industries such as tourism, agriculture, and fisheries. Due to their geographical locations, environmental and climate vulnerabilities, limited natural resources, and economic opportunities, these challenges are intensified and impacting adversely in SIDS. With limited resource availability and adequate infrastructure development, SIDS have an average waste generation of approximately 2.3 kg per day, which is significantly high (48 percent) than the global average of 1.55 kg per day[3]. At the same time, the blue economy of SIDS and Pacific Island countries is adversely affected by plastic pollution as more than five trillion pieces of plastic pollution are afloat in the oceans[4]. It is estimated that this cost economies up to USD 3.7 trillion[5], over the lifetime of the plastics. A significant portion of this burden is falling on coastal countries, including SIDS and Pacific Islands. Preserving the health, productivity, and resilience of oceans and marine life ecosystem is imperative for the Pacific SIDS. These ecosystems are crucial for ensuring food security, nutrition, and livelihoods for the communities in Pacific SIDS.
The member countries of the United Nations are concurrently implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – and the underlying Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement on climate change, the New Urban Agenda, the UNCTAD Nairobi Mandate, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the Barbados Program of Action (BPOA), Outcome of the SIDS Conference (Apia, 2014) – S.A.M.O.A. Pathway, the Basel Convention, the Rotterdam Convention, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (2015), Malé 3R Declaration for the Promotion of 3Rs and Resource Efficiency Towards Protection of Local Environment and Marine Ecosystem (2015), the Stockholm Convention the Nairobi Consensus (Maafikiano, 2016), the Adelaide 3R Declaration on Circular Economy (2016), the Indore 3R Declaration of Asian Mayors (2018), the Bangkok 3R Declaration (2019) on prevention of plastic waste pollution the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022), the Hanoi 3R Declaration (2013-2023), among others. The success of these agendas and agreements largely depends on supply security of resources. Implementing 3R and circular economy strategies not only plays a crucial role in attaining SDG 12 (sustainable consumption and production) but also fosters synergies in achieving the other SDGs. For instance, SDG 12 (sustainable consumption and production) serves as a catalyst for synergies in achieving SDG 6 (ensuring clean water and sanitation), SDG 11 (building safe, resilient, sustainable cities and communities), SDG 13 (combatting climate change), SDG 14 (preserving life below water), and other related goals. Therefore, transformational changes in sustainable consumption and production patterns geared towards zero waste, climate mitigation and resilient societies are indispensable. This includes green and low carbon transitioning towards reducing carbon dioxide emissions that emerge from extractive industries, manufacturing, construction, transportation, and other sectors, including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
At Asia-Pacific level, the Hanoi 3R Declaration (2013-2023) and its 33 sustainable 3R goals (agreed at 4th Regional 3R Forum in Asia and the Pacific in Ha Noi, Viet Nam in 2013) was the first unprecedented voluntary commitment of Asia-Pacific countries in moving towards a more resource efficient and circular society and provided an umbrella policy framework for developing and implementing 3R policies and programs at all levels to help Asia-Pacific countries shift from linear to more resource efficient to circular economy ultimately. The new 3R and Circular Economy Declaration further aims to integrate sustainable consumption and production practices as well as circular economy principles into their overarching policy, planning, and development strategies for achieving co-benefits, including but not limited to the protection of natural ecosystem and resources, reduction of disposal costs through waste minimization, the lowering of carbon footprints, enhancing energy security, improving economic competitiveness of industries, promoting green technologies and innovations, creating new eco-friendly business models and generating green jobs and thereby improving economic growth for advancing towards sustainable cities and human settlements. The new Declaration also aims to place Asia-Pacific in the forefront of collaborative arrangements and multilayer partnerships, both at national and international level, in implementing 3R and circular economy approaches and principles towards low carbon, resource efficient and zero waste societies.
With the overarching theme of "Charting the course toward resilient prosperity”, the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) will be held from 27-30 May 2024 in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda. The Conference aims for assessing the ability of SIDS to achieve sustainable development, including the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. The outcome of the Conference will be a politically agreed upon document that is focused, forward-looking, action-oriented, and endorsed by participating governments. The upcoming Pacific SIDS consultation meeting cum the capacity building workshop in Apia/Samoa also aims to strengthen the regional input to the 4th International Conference on SIDS.
Objectives
The main objective of the Pacific SIDS consultation meeting input to SIDS4 is to enrich the draft new Declaration from SIDS and Pacific Island countries perspective given that SIDS/PICs face unique issues and challenges in achieving sustainable development in view of their unique location and vulnerabilities, including the exposure to global environmental challenges, frequent and intense climate induced natural disasters and a wide range of socio-economic impacts from global warming and climate change. The other objectives include:
- The country consultations expected to receive valuable inputs, feedback and suggestions from the participating countries of the Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum on the Pre-Zero Draft of New Declaration on 3R and Circular Economy (2024-2034). Based on the country inputs, the pre-Zero Draft would be further revised and the Zero Draft would be circulated among countries at least 4 months prior to the upcoming 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific which is expected to be hosted by the Viet Nam Government in late 2024.
- The integrated meeting will offer a valuable platform to discuss and explore potential synergies between New Declaration on 3R and Circular Economy and SPREP’s Second Phase of Strategies on 3R and waste management for SIDS and Pacif Island countries.
Agenda
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DAY 1 14 May 2024 (Tuesday) |
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9:00-09:30 |
Registration |
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09:30-10:00 (30 min.) |
Opening Session:
Special Addresses:
Group Photograph |
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10:00-10:30 |
Coffee/tea Break |
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10:30-11:00 (30 min) |
Session 1: Scope and Objective of the Draft New Declaration on 3R and Circular Economy and Purpose of the Meeting
Open discussion and Q & A Co-facilitators: Choudhury Rudra Charan Mohanty, UNCRD- DSDG/UN DESA, and Arab Hoballah, Senior SCP Expert, SWITCH-Asia Pacific Policy Support Component (PSC) and former UNEP Chief SCP |
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11:00-12:30 (90 min.) |
Session 2: Presentation of 3R/Waste management activities by SPREP and other Patterners Presentation by:
Open discussion and Q & A (10 min) Co-facilitators: Choudhury Rudra Charan Mohanty, UNCRD- DSDG/UN DESA, and Arab Hoballah, Senior SCP Expert, SWITCH-Asia Pacific Policy Support Component (PSC) and former UNEP Chief SCP |
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12:30-13:30 |
Lunch Break |
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13:30-15:00 (90 mins) |
Session 3: Consultation/Open Discussion on Draft New Declaration
Co-facilitators: Choudhury Rudra Charan Mohanty, UNCRD- DSDG/UN DESA, and Arab Hoballah, Senior SCP Expert, SWITCH-Asia Pacific Policy Support Component (PSC) and former UNEP Chief SCP |
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15:00-15:30 |
Coffee/tea Break |
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15:30-17:00 (90 min.) |
SWITCH-Asia Pacific Session: Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) and Entrepreneurship, gamechanger and enabler for collective transformative actions in the transition to circularity and sustainability in Pacific Island Countries
Regional perspectives: Understanding the nexus between SCP, Climate Change and Circular Economy
Panel Discussion: Importance of Sustainable Consumption and Production and Circular Economy for Achieving Resource Efficient, Clean, Resilient, Sound Material Cycle and Low-Carbon Society in the Pacific - national perspectives SWITCH-Asia Pacific National Focal Points:
Open Discussion and Q & A Facilitator: Loraine Gatlabayan, Key Expert, SCP awareness raising and regional partnership building, SWITCH-Asia PSC SWITCH-Asia Pacific Policy Support Component (PSC) |
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17:00-18:00 (60 mins) |
UNCRD Session: Integrated Approach of Resilient Urban Development in the Context of SDG Localization for SIDS
Open Discussion and Q & A |
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DAY 2 15 May 2024 (Wednesday) |
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9:30–10:30 (60 min.) |
Session 4: Consultation/Open Discussion on Draft New Declaration (Cont……..)
Co-facilitators: Choudhury Rudra Charan Mohanty, UNCRD- DSDG/UN DESA, and Arab Hoballah, Senior SCP Expert, SWITCH-Asia Pacific Policy Support Component (PSC) and former UNEP Chief SCP |
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10:30-11:00 |
Coffee/Tea Break |
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11:00-12:00 (60 min.) |
Session 5: Consultation/Open Discussion on Draft New Declaration (Cont……..)
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12:00-13:00 |
Lunch Break |
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13:00-14:30 (90 min) |
Session 6: Consultation/Open Discussion on Draft New Declaration (Cont……..) Annex 1: Strategies to Support the Implementation of the Draft New Declaration (2024-2034) Are the proposed “strategies” to achieve the underlined goals of the new Declaration sufficient or appropriate? Is any important strategy missed out? (please refer Annex 1 of the draft Declaration) Co-facilitators: Choudhury Rudra Charan Mohanty, UNCRD- DSDG/UN DESA, and Arab Hoballah, Senior SCP Expert, SWITCH-Asia Pacific Policy Support Component (PSC) and former UNEP Chief SCP |
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14:30-15:00 |
Coffee/Tea Break |
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15:00-16:30 |
Session 6: Consultation/Open Discussion on Draft New Declaration (Cont……..) Annex 2: Indicators for Tracking the Progress on Implementation of New Declaration on 3R and Circular Economy (2024-2034) Are the proposed “indicators” of monitoring the progress of implementation of the underlined goals of the new Declaration sufficient or appropriate? Is any important indicator missed out? (please refer Annex 2 of the draft Declaration) Co-facilitators: Choudhury Rudra Charan Mohanty, UNCRD- DSDG/UN DESA, and Arab Hoballah, Senior SCP Expert, SWITCH-Asia Pacific Policy Support Component (PSC) and former UNEP Chief SCP |
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16:30-17:15 |
Session 7: Achieving Synergies between the Draft New Declaration on 3R and Circular Economy and 2nd Phase-Regional Strategies on 3R and Waste Management
Co-facilitators: Choudhury Rudra Charan Mohanty, UNCRD- DSDG/UN DESA, and Arab Hoballah, Senior SCP Expert, SWITCH-Asia Pacific Policy Support Component (PSC) and former UNEP Chief SCP |
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17:15-17:45 |
Session 8: Capacity Building Needs in SIDS and Regional /International Cooperation in 3R and Circular Economy
Co-facilitators: Choudhury Rudra Charan Mohanty, UNCRD- DSDG/UN DESA, and Arab Hoballah, Senior SCP Expert, SWITCH-Asia Pacific Policy Support Component (PSC) and former UNEP Chief SCP |
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17:45-18:00 |
Closing Session
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DAY 3 16 May 2024 (Thursday) Capacity Building Workshop in Conjunction with SWAP /PAWES Steering Committee Meeting |
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9:00–10:00 (60 min.) |
Presentation of WMPC Projects (15 min /project) - PACWASTEPLUS - ISLANDS - POLP Open discussion and Q & A (15 min) |
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10:00-10:30 |
Coffee/Tea Break |
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10:30-12:00
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Presentation of WMPC Projects (15 min /project) Cont….. - SWAP - J-PRISM - PAWES - PACPLAN Open discussion and Q & A (30 min) |
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12:00-13:00 |
Lunch Break |
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13:00-15:00 |
Technical Visit to STAR waste management facility (TBC) |
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15:00-15:30 |
Coffee/Tea Break |
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16:00-18:00 |
Visit to SRWMA waste management facility |
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Day 4 17 May 2024 (Friday) SWAP/PAWES Steering Committee Meetings |
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9:00-12:30
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PAWES Steering Committee Meeting
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12:30-13:30 |
Lunch Break |
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13:30-16:30
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SWAP Steering Committee Meeting – Preparation of phase II - Phase I Challenges and Successes - Consultation on Phase II content |
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16:30-17:00 |
Coffee/Tea Break |
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17:00-17:30 |
Closing Session
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[1] Regional economic outlook. Asia and Pacific: challenges to sustaining growth and disinflation, 2023.
[2] https://www.unep.org/regions/asia-and-pacific/regional-initiatives/supporting-resource-efficiency#:~:text=Asia%20Pacific&text=Asia%20Pacific%20dominates%20global%20use,manufacturing%20centres%20in%20the%20region.
[3] Small Island Developing States Waste Management Outlook, UNEP, 2019.
[4] https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/06/5-ways-we-can-improve-ocean-health/
[5] https://www.iucn.org/sites/default/files/2023-11/pwfi-economic-assessment-report-fiji-final_0.pdf
