The High-Level 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum was co-organized by UNCRD-UNDESA, UN-ESCAP, and the Ministry of Environment, Government of Japan, and hosted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, from March 3-5 in Jaipur, India.
Attended by more than 500 participants from 35 countries, the Forum aimed to chart pathways and opportunities for realizing circular societies in the region. It discussed and agreed on a new voluntary and legally non-binding 3R and Circular Economy Declaration (2025-2035) to achieve resource efficiency, a clean and resilient environment, a sound material cycle, and a low-carbon society in Asia and the Pacific. The declaration proposes various strategies for voluntary consideration by countries to further enable them to define and implement relevant actions in the transition to sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and a circular economy (CE).
During the year-long preparatory process and the 12th Forum itself, SWITCH-Asia PSC was represented by Arab Hoballah, SWITCH-Asia SCP senior expert and senior expert on 3R and CE for UNCRD-UNDESA.
The Jaipur Declaration aims to serve as a policy-guiding framework and catalyst for countries to facilitate the integration of sustainable consumption and production (SCP) practices and circular economy principles into overall policy, planning, and action programmes.
The 12th Forum was supported by the State of Rajasthan and various regional and international organisations, including the EU SWITCH-Asia PSC, which actively contributed to multiple sub-regional consultations and sessions of the Forum. Through these engagements, SWITCH-Asia programmes were widely promoted, further advocating for SCP and fostering new partnerships.
3R, Circular Economy, and Sustainable Cities and Communities
The session examined pathways for improving governance, industry collaboration, and technological innovation in resource management. Key drivers for transitioning from a linear to a circular economy include robust policies and regulations, capacity-building, technology adoption, and public participation. While regulations can catalyze change, financial investments are essential for effective implementation.
Expanding and scaling circular economy initiatives require local innovation and adaptation, supported by necessary resources. Cities play a crucial role in minimizing waste, improving resource efficiency, and promoting sustainable consumption and production (SCP). Digital platforms, artificial intelligence, and monitoring tools can strengthen regulatory compliance, while targeted and tailored incentives can accelerate the adoption of circular business models.
Circular Economy and the Construction Industry
In this session, Rene Van Berkel, SWITCH-Asia SCP senior circular economy expert, emphasized that the circular economy extends far beyond recycling, highlighting the various stages necessary for integrating circularity into the construction sector. This includes the use of low-carbon materials and efficient design to ensure long-term sustainability.
While challenging, transitioning to a circular economy in the building sector presents significant opportunities. Success depends on the collaboration of all stakeholders, with cities and local communities playing a key role. Essential enablers include suitable urban planning, updated building codes, effective waste management systems, and green public procurement to drive sustainable practices across the industry.
Greening SMEs Towards a Circular Economy
The discussions on greening SMEs and advancing a circular society, including public-private partnerships (PPP), focused on the barriers and drivers of eco-innovation, from incubation to acceleration and scaling up. Various case studies from Asian countries highlighted the critical role of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), circularity, and sustainability.
Beyond enhancing the technical expertise of enterprises, adequate policy frameworks, financial support, and market access are crucial. Equally important is improving SMEs’ financial and policy literacy, enabling them to better articulate and advocate for their needs. There can be no net-zero transition and no circularity without MSMEs. To empower them as key actors in sustainable development, supportive public procurement policies, cross-learning opportunities, and platforms to amplify their voices are essential.
Pacific Countries Roundtable
Delegates from Pacific countries presented their national policies on waste management, outlining their goals and the challenges of implementation within the unique contexts and ecosystems of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Discussions emphasized the importance of tailored approaches to sustainability, considering the region's distinct environmental and socio-economic conditions.
On this occasion, SWITCH-Asia PSC introduced the SWITCH-Asia programme and its various technical assistance initiatives, underscoring the need to mainstream sustainable consumption and production (SCP). Particular emphasis was placed on prioritizing waste minimization and resource efficiency, both before and during waste management processes.
It was highlighted that Pacific countries have the potential to address sustainability challenges by leveraging their ecosystems, traditional knowledge, and local innovations. In this context, tourism can play a supportive role if strategically planned and implemented. Proactive, tailored communication and education programmes, targeting schools, youth, women, decision-makers, and tourism communities, both local and visiting, can help foster sustainable practices and strengthen long-term environmental stewardship.
