ADB Circular Economy Training Series: Accelerating the Circular Economy: Integrating Circularity into Programs, Projects, and Policies
21 February to 3 October 2024

ADB is organizing a training series on Circular Economy entitled “Accelerating the Circular Economy: Integrating Circularity into Programs, Projects, and Policies”. Delivered through four events in 2024, this initiative of the Environment Group presents cross-sectoral knowledge and experience gained by ADB’s project teams and partners during project design and implementation. The events, led by TA 6669 Promoting Action on Plastic Pollution from Source to Sea in Asia and the Pacific, integrate the circular economy with the wider sustainability and nature-based solutions activities of the Environment Group in progressing project pipelines under ADB’s Strategy 2030 Operational Priority 3 Tackling Climate Change, Building Climate, and Disaster Resilience, and Enhancing Environmental Sustainability.

Circular economy (CE) is becoming increasingly important to address solid waste management, marine litter, and pollution reduction. The upcoming Global Plastics Treaty (GPT) will be a legally binding agreement for countries to end plastic pollution, and implementing CE principles has been cited as one of the solutions under the GPT.

This training is designed for the ADB staff community as well as participating government officials from Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The objectives are to:

  • Provide a clear understanding of CE/circularity principles
  • Share CE opportunities beyond solid waste management and recycling through country case studies
  • Identify areas for integration of CE into ADB programs and projects
  • Provide a basic understanding of how to design circular investments
  • Provide an overview of circular environments including policies, governance, technology, innovation, and finance
  • Share current progress on preparations for the Global Plastics Treaty and opportunities for developing member countries and ADB

The schedules of the four-part training series are below:

  • 21–23 February 2024, Part 1: Getting in the Loop: Enabling Conditions for a Circular Economy (In person, ADB Headquarters, Manila, Philippines)
  • 14 and 21 May 2024, Part 2: Policy and Governance (Online, 2 sessions, 1 hour each)
  • 2 and 9 July 2024, Part 3: Finance and Mechanisms (Online, 2 sessions, 1 hour each)
  • 1–3 October 2024, Part 4: Applying Circular Economy Principles (In person, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, Philippines)
Program and Learning Materials
Session / Activity Title Speaker(s)
21-23 February 2024 Part 1: Getting in the Loop: Enabling Conditions for a Circular Economy (In person, ADB Headquarters, Manila, Philippines) 
Full Agenda
Video Stopping Plastic Waste Leakage into Oceans
Day 1: Enabling Mechanisms for Circular Economy
Circular Economy 101 Overview of Circular Economy
James Baker
Circular Economy 101 Circular Economy in DMCs Maria Pia Ancora, Senior Urban Development Specialist, Sectors Group, ADB
Circular Economy 101 Webinar Recording on Session 1: Circular Economy 101
Understanding the Global Plastics Treaty Opportunities in the Global Plastic Treaty for Asia and the Pacific
Roger Joseph (Rocky) Guzman
Understanding the Global Plastics Treaty Webinar Recording on Session 2: Understanding the Global Plastics Treaty
Circular Economy and Finance Circular Economy and Finance Mechanisms: Blue Southeast Asia (SEA) Finance Hub
Ghislain De Valon
Circular Economy and Finance Unlocking the Potential of Plastic Credits
Nanette Medved-Po
Circular Economy and Finance Webinar Recording Session 3: Circular Economy and Finance
Day 2: Technology, Innovation, and Behavior Change for Circular Economy
Webinar Recording of Day 1 Recap by James Baker, ADB
Circular Economy and Gender, Equality, and Social Inclusion Applying the Gender Lens in the Circular Economy
Rafaella Potestades
Circular Economy and Gender, Equality, and Social Inclusion Social Inclusion in Grassroots Campaigns
Cecile Alcantara
Circular Economy and Gender, Equality, and Social Inclusion Webinar Recording Session 4: Circular Economy and Gender, Equality, and Social Inclusion
ADB Building Initiatives ADB Building Initiatives and Sustainability Solutions
Mirko Rizutto, Erwin Casaclang
ADB Building Initiatives Webinar Recording on ADB Building Initiatives and Sustainability Solutions
Technology and Innovation Digital Technologies for the Circular Economy in Developing Countries
Marc Lepage
Technology and Innovation Upstream and Downstream Innovation and Technology
Gary Moys
Technology and Innovation Webinar Recording on Session 5: Technology and Innovation
Circular Plastics Economy and the Private Sector Recyling Plastics in Indonesia
Dian Kurniawati
Circular Plastics Economy and the Private Sector An Introduction to Bioplastics
Piya Kerdlap
Circular Plastics Economy and the Private Sector Webinar Recording Session 6: Circular Plastics Economy and the Private Sector
Day 3: Site visit: Green Antz Facility – Green Antz (Bulacan)
Session / Activity Title Speaker(s)
14 and 21 May 2024 Part 2: Policies for a Circular Economy (Online, 2 sessions, 1 hour each) 
Key Insights and Resources from Part 2 of ADB CE Training Series
This report outlines the key takeaways from the training such as the existing CE legal and governance frameworks, case studies of applying these…
Part 2, Session 1 Webinar Recording Video: Part 2, Session 1: Overview of Circular Economy Policies and Global Plastics Treaty Updates
Part 2, Session 1: Overview of Circular Economy Policies and Global Plastics Treaty Updates Policies for a Circular Economy
This presentation gives an overview of the components of a circular economy policy that will make it a “good” policy(e.g., just transition, social…
Maria Hughes
Part 2, Session 1: Overview of Circular Economy Policies and Global Plastics Treaty Updates Progress on the Global Plastics Treaty: Updates from the 4th International Negotiating Committee Session
This presentation gives an overview of the GPT, where it is now, the topics discussed in the INC4, and how can ADB support DMCs during the…
Roger Joseph (Rocky) Guzman
Part 2, Session 2 Webinar Recording Video: Part 2, Session 2: Case Studies in Asia
Part 2, Session 2: Case Studies in Asia Case Study: Circular Economy in the People’s Republic of China
This presentation gives an overview of the brief history of the CE policies in the PRC and what has inspired the policies/legal frameworks to be…
Stefan Rau
Part 2, Session 2: Case Studies in Asia Case Study: Extended Producer Responsibility in the Philippines
This presentation gives an overview of the brief history of the EPR Law in the Philippines and how and when it started.
Maria Delia Cristina Valdez
Session / Activity Title Speaker(s)
2 and 9 July 2024 Part 3: Financing Circular Economy (Online, 2 sessions, 1 hour each) 
Key Insights and Resources from Part 3 of ADB CE Training Series
This report highlights how to accelerate the circular economy, focusing on integrating circularity into programs, projects, policies, and financing…
Part 3, Session 1 Webinar Recording Video: Part 3, Session 1: Overview of Financing for Circular Economy
Part 3, Session 1: Overview of Financing for Circular Economy Introduction and Overview: Recap of Second Session, and Definition of Terms Anna Oposa, Marine Conservation and Circular Economy Specialist (Consultant), ADB
Part 3, Session 1: Overview of Financing for Circular Economy Circular Economy and Waste Management Updates from ADB Sing (Terry) Cho, Senior Urban Development Specialist (Waste Management), ADB
Part 3, Session 1: Overview of Financing for Circular Economy Overview of Finance Mechanisms in Sustainable Development
The document gives an overview of the challenges and financing gap for plastic circularity in the Asia-Pacific region and the role of governments in…
James Baker
Part 3, Session 1: Overview of Financing for Circular Economy The Business Case for a Circular Economy Thitirat “Pang” Sittakaradej, Principal, ADB Ventures
Part 3, Session 1 Webinar Recording Video: Part 3, Session 2: Finance Mechanisms in Practice
Part 3, Session 2: Finance Mechanisms in Practice Introduction and Overview
Part 3, Session 2: Finance Mechanisms in Practice Plastic Credits in Practice
This presentation gives an overview of Verra's Plastic Program, which aims to enable a circular, equitable, and just transition in plastic waste…
Komal Sinha
Part 3, Session 2: Finance Mechanisms in Practice Economic Instruments for a Circular Economy
This presentation gives an overview on financing the circular economy and the use of economic instruments and public finance for plastic circularity…
Panate Manomaivibool
Questions and Answers
Closing Closing Remarks Maria Pia Ancora, Senior Urban Development Specialist, ADB
Session / Activity Title Speaker(s)
1-3 October 2024 Part 4: Applying Circular Economy Principles (In person, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, Philippines)
Key Takeaways Report
Part 4, Session 1 Webinar Recording Video: Part 4, Session 1: Preliminaries
Part 4, Session 1.1 Webinar Recording Video: Part 4, Session 1.1: Applying Circular Economy Principles
Session 1.1 Applying Circular Economy Principles Circular Economy Principles in ADB and DMCs
This presentation gives an overview of the circular economy principles.
James Baker
Session 1.1 Applying Circular Economy Principles Circular Economy in Viet Nam
This presentation gives an overview of the development of circular economy in Viet Nam.
Pham Anh Huyen
Session 1.2 Global Plastics Treaty Updates: What is Next? Global Plastics Treaty Updates: What is Next? - Opportunities for Asia and the Pacific
This presentation gives an overview of the issues in financing and implementation of the treaty.
Roger Joseph (Rocky) Guzman
Part 4, Session 1.3 Webinar Recording Video: Part 4, Session 1.3: Circular Economy and Enabling Environments
Session 1.3. Circular Economy and Enabling Environments Policy Based Loans for Circular Economy
This presentation gives an overview of policy-based loans in relation to circular economy.
Anna Fink
Session 1.3 Circular Economy and Enabling Environments Community Development and Climate Change Action
This presentation gives an overview of the development of a wholistic bamboo based value chain across the Philippines.
Eileen Ortega-Gamo
Session 1.3 Circular Economy and Enabling Environments Video: Circular Economy in Procurement
This gives an overview on green procurement and ADB projects that have applied green procurement principles.
Jenny Yan Yee Chu
Part 4, Session 2.1 Webinar Recording Video: Part 4, Session 2.1: Circular Economy and Gender, Equality, and Social Inclusion
Part 4, Session 2.1 Webinar Recording Video: Part 4, Session 2.1: Questions and Answers
Session 2.1 Circular Economy and Gender, Equality, and Social Inclusion Gender Mainstreaming in ADB
This presentation gives an overview of ADB’s commitment to climate action and gender equality.
Zonibel Woods
Session 2.1 Circular Economy and Gender, Equality, and Social Inclusion The Role of the Informal Waste Sector
This presentation gives an overview of the circular economy development and waste management in Indonesia.
Ranitya Nurlita
Session 2.1 Circular Economy and Gender, Equality, and Social Inclusion Gender in Natural Resource Management
This presentation gives an overview of the issues faced by women in the mining industry of the Philippines.
Patricia Bunye
Part 4, Session 2.2 Webinar Recording Video: Part 4, Session 2.2: Panel Discussion - Circular Plastics Economy and the Private Sector
Session 2.2 Panel Discussion: Circular Plastics Economy and the Private Sector Circular Economy and the Private Sector
This presentation gives an overview of the private sector role in the circular economy transition.
James Baker
Session 2.2 Panel Discussion: Circular Plastics Economy and the Private Sector Recouping Value from WEEE
This presentation gives an overview of WEEE recycling in Southeast Asia.
Russell Hirst
Part 4, Session 2.3 Webinar Recording Video: Part 4, Session 2.3: Reports from the DMC Representatives
Session 2.3 Reports from the DMC Representatives Updating Indonesia’s National Action Plan on Marine Debris Handling And Circular Economy
This presentation gives an overview of the circular economy implementation in Indonesia.
Ana Suryana
Session 2.3 Reports from the DMC Representatives DMC Report from Philippines
This presentation gives an overview of the solid waste management and mainstreaming circular economy in the Philippines.
Rolando Enoc
Session 2.3 Reports from the DMC Representatives Applying Circular Economy Principles to End Plastic Pollution in Thailand
This presentation gives an overview of the circular economy implementation in Thailand.
Wassana Jangprajak
Session 2.3 Reports from the DMC Representatives Government Actions and Potential ADB Support: Viet Nam
This presentation gives an overview of the circular economy implementation, institutional frameworks and policy in Viet Nam.
Anh Tuan Nguyen

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