The consultation meeting between the ECO Secretariat and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) was held on 15 January 2025 in a virtual mode. The meeting discussed the possibilities for advancing the circular economy agenda in the ECO region through establishing collaborative frameworks and stronger inter-regional partnerships.
Dr. Fuad Farzalibeyov, Director for Energy, Minerals and Environment of the ECO Secretariat characterized the ESCAP’s support and its Executive Secretary’s proactive participation in the Ministerial Meeting on Circular Economy, organized on the margins of the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in November in Baku as a testament of a joint resolve and dedication in advocating circular transition.
Dr. Sudip Ranjan Basu, Chief of the Sustainable Business Network of ESCAP declared the ESCAP’s readiness to provide a policy and advisory support during the implementation of the Regional Initiative on Resource Efficiency, Sustainability, and Circular Economy in the ECO Region (RESCUE). He highlighted substance, joint advocacy, and developing innovative partnership models with the private sector as three areas for cooperation within the RESCUE following its recent launching.
The participants also exchanged views on a needs assessment of the ECO region for a just transition to a resource-efficient and circular economy as groundwork for a possible regional action plan in the future. They also highlighted the upcoming events and activities on circular economy in the region and across the globe and agreed to further collaborate in this context.
