Addis Ababa, January 27, 2025 (FMC) – he United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) has kicked off a validation workshop centred on the review of a Circular Economy Action Plan.
In addition, the workshop will discuss innovative financing aimed at supporting a Blue and Circular Economy initiative for African and Indian Ocean Island States.
The workshop, which will take place from 27-28 January 2025, is an opportunity to foster alignment and strengthen key regional partnerships among all stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the Action Plan.
The organizers also aim to foster a framework for dialogue and collaboration to advance the circular economy agenda in Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands States.
According to the ECA, the transition to a circular economy model offers significant opportunities for African and Indian Ocean countries as they can develop thriving economies while ensuring their long-term environmental sustainability and resilience.
The organizers will present the draft of the Circular Economy Action Plan and the Circular and Blue Financing Mechanism to key stakeholders for detailed review, input and validation.
Round table sessions will engage technical and financial partners with the aim of strengthening their commitment to implementing the Action Plan in partnership with the IOC.
The organizers expect that the workshop will facilitate the exchange of knowledge among the members of the African and Indian Ocean Island States Circular Economy Expert Working Group, which will be launched during the workshop.
Participants include representatives from African and Indian Ocean Island Member States, the AUC, IOC partners, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), The African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA), the African Circular Economy Network Foundation (ACEN) and other key stakeholders.
The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) is an intergovernmental organization that promotes cooperation among the island states of the Indian Ocean.