12 JULY 2021

Making the circular transition work for a transformative and prosperous post-COVID recovery

Side event during the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

12 July 2021 13:30 - 15:00
Virtual meeting, Geneva, Switzerland

Objective
The post-COVID recovery offers an opportunity to reverse unsustainable economic trends and build back better, to promote sustainable consumption and production as laid out in SDG 12 and transition to a circular, more resilient and low-carbon economy. This session brings together thought leaders from government, business, campaign groups and international organizations to explore the opportunities for action in a 90 min debate and discussion session.

Panel - Key questions
• How can the COVID-19 pandemic be transformed into a catalyst for change? What faults and opportunities did the pandemic expose in the existing system?
• How can countries, businesses and consumers contribute to an accelerated shift towards more circular and resilient economic models? What role can the United Nations play?
• What changes would you like to see by the end of this decade of action? What are the key opportunities for action?

Organizers
This side-event is organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF).

Moderators and speakers
Opening: Ms. Olga Algayerova, Executive Secretary, UNECE
Welcome remarks: H.E. Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger, Ambassador, Permanent Representative Austria, Chair of the Economic Commission for Europe
Moderators: and Mr. Charles Arden-Clarke, Head 10YFP Secretariat, UNEP and Ms. Elisabeth Tuerk, Director, Economic Cooperation and Trade Division, UNECE
Keynote speaker: Mr. Joss Blériot, Executive Lead, Institutions, Governments and Cities, Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Speakers and Discussants: member States, sharing policy perspectives and good practices:
• France, Mr. Sylvain Chevassus, Ministry of Ecological Transition
• Switzerland, Ms. Martine Rohn-Brossard, Deputy-Head, International Affairs Division, Swiss Federal Office for Environment, One Planet Network (10YFP)
• Uzbekistan, Mr. Ilkhom Khaydarov, Chairman, UzTextileProm, (VNR in 2020) (tbc)
• Unilever, Mr. Florian Vernay, Director, Home Care Division, Global Communications and Sustainability

On-line registration is open now.

Useful links:
• Leaflet
• Side event webpage on the HLPF website