12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific concludes

The 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific concluded today with the unanimous adoption of the ‘Jaipur Declaration’ by the member countries.

A guidance document has been prepared to suggest indicative strategies for countries according to the national policies, circumstances and capabilities. As part of the Jaipur declaration, a collaborative knowledge platform as a global alliance C-3 ( Cities Coalition for Circularity ) has also been agreed upon.

The 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific began on March 3 in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The 3-day forum provided a critical platform for policymakers, industry leaders, and development partners to discuss sustainable solutions for waste management and resource efficiency.

As economies in the Asia-Pacific region experience rapid urbanization and industrialization, the need for a shift towards a circular economy becomes imperative.

The Jaipur Declaration speaks about different waste streams, circular economy goals, resource efficiency and sustainable material consumption. The declaration also covers informal sectors, gender issues and labour issues. It also provides for means of implementation, partnerships, technology transfer, funding mechanism and research and development.

In his closing remarks, Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal said that the “Jaipur Declaration that has been adopted today is a testament to this shared commitment. I am glad this decadal declaration will be associated with the name of ‘Jaipur’ and even though it is non-binding, it will guide our country and all member nations of the Asia Pacific towards a circular transition.“

He also said that based on our principle of “One Earth, One Family, One Future”, India will take the lead in formation of the Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3) and invited all UN member countries to join this coalition.

Minister of State, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Tokhan Sahu said that “the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum for Asia and the Pacific is a historic moment as over the past days, we have engaged in crucial discussions and deliberations on environmental conservation, sustainable resource utilization, and waste management to build a better future.”

Prof. Amit Kapoor, Chair, Institute for Competitiveness, University of Stanford, delivered a special address on implementing circularity of solid and liquid waste for the largest human congregation at Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.

He shared key preliminary findings of an in-depth study that explores sustainable waste management solutions for the event, focusing on innovative approaches, scalability, and best practices to ensure environmental sustainability while managing millions of pilgrims.

The forum saw the physical participation of 24 Asia-Pacific member countries, with ministers from Japan, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Maldives attending in person. Nearly 200 international delegates, including government officials, experts, and private sector representatives, joined the discussions.

From India, 800 delegates from 33 States & UTs, 15-line ministries, private sector, and technical institutions took part. The event had representation from 75 cities (9 international and 66 Indian cities).

The forum featured 120 speakers contributing to 29 plenary sessions, 10 thematic sessions, 6 country breakout sessions, and 7 side events. To ensure broader participation, a virtual platform was also created for stakeholders across India and internationally.

On the inaugural day, the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific featured key announcements and initiatives aligned with India’s commitment to sustainability and circular economy principles.

A major milestone was the rollout of CITIIS 2.0, a Union Cabinet-approved program under which Rs 1,800 crores worth of agreements were signed for integrated waste management and climate action in 18 cities across 14 states.

Engaging sessions such as the ‘Mayors’ Dialogue’ and ‘Case Clinic’ fostered deeper collaboration, while NGOs and self-help groups showcased waste-to-wealth initiatives, promoting sustainability-driven entrepreneurship and community engagement.

On the second day of the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific witnessed a significant announcement with India declaring its candidacy to host the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026, following São Paulo, Brazil, in 2025.

The forum also hosted plenary sessions, country breakout sessions, and side events, including discussions on India’s pathways to a circular economy, highlighting efforts in waste management and sustainability.

Key outcomes included the launch of several initiatives such as the SBM Waste to Wealth PMS Portal, IFC Document Reference Guide, and India’s Circular Sutra, a compendium of 126 best practices compiled by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA).

Additionally, a study on best practices in solid waste management in million-plus cities, prepared by CEEW, was released. A crucial MoU was signed between CSIR and MoHUA to advance scientific research and innovation in circular economy solutions.

Delegates also participated in technical field visits to solid and liquid waste management facilities and key heritage sites in Jaipur, gaining firsthand insights into sustainable urban practices.