Asia and the Pacific is the planet’s hotspot for plastic pollution. Of the 10 rivers that transport 88%–95% of the world’s plastic into the sea, eight are in Asia. Moreover, most plastic waste entering the ocean are from six Asian countries: Indonesia, the People’s Republic of China, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Viet Nam. Plastic pollution is a complex, multisectoral issue that requires immediate and long-term solutions. Left unchecked, plastic waste will continue to harm the environment, particularly waterways and wildlife; marine-based livelihoods, local economies, public health, and overall quality of life.

The Circular Economy Forum, to be held on 17–18 June 2025, will be a platform to unpack this dire challenge and set a path toward achieving a circular economy in the region. This two-day event is a platform for the wider adoption of the circular economy approach in investments and initiatives in the region as presented in the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) Environment Action Plan 2024–2030. The event is also the culmination of the ADB regional technical assistance (TA), Promoting Action on Plastic Pollution from Source to Sea in Asia and the Pacific. It will showcase the achievements and lessons learned from implementing the TA project in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam, including city-level action plans and road maps for digitalizing the plastic value chain. The event also coincides with the three-year anniversary of the Circular Economy Webinar Series, which has been a hallmark of the project’s knowledge-sharing and capacity-building program that has put the spotlight on emerging issues, tech solutions, and new approaches to mainstream circular economy.

The forum will feature keynote presentations from inspiring speakers, relevant case studies and best practices from other initiatives and countries, and updates and plans relating to international agreements such as the anticipated Global Plastics Treaty. Together with plenary sessions, the event will consist of thematic tracks that are essential for the circular economy, such as Enabling Conditions, and Digitalization and Innovation.

A circular economy marketplace will also be available during the forum. This will be a mix of solutions providers and small businesses offering unique items that promote upcycling and waste reduction.

The Circular Economy Forum is organized by the ADB Environment group, in collaboration with the ADB Circular Economy Working Group, and supported by the Global Environment Facility, Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific, and the Republic of Korea e-Asia and Knowledge Partnership Fund.

Details on the registration, event website, and program will be announced soon.

Objectives​ 

The Circular Economy Forum aims to:

• promote and reinforce the circular economy as one of the core approaches guiding ADB’s operations;
• share knowledge, case studies, best practices and experiences from across Asia and the Pacific to inspire replication and scaling up of circularity initiatives;
• strengthen understanding of circular economy principles and explore other focus areas and sectors that can integrate these principles as guided by the ADB Environment Action Plan;
• instill awareness of enabling conditions that can drive the uptake of circularity in Asia and the Pacific, as well as lessons from applying digitalization in the plastic value chain and related circular economy projects, which can help improve project design; and
• discuss highlights and lessons learned from the Promoting Action on Plastic Pollution TA project, which can serve as a jump-off point for developing wider ADB investments.

Target participants​ 

• Government officials and staff from ADB developing member countries working with the environment, planning, and finance ministries, as well as other related departments and agencies, such as water and waste management
• ADB staff and consultants
• Civil society organizations, including advocacy and youth groups
• Academia and research institutions
• Development partners, donors, and other finance institutions

Circular Economy Secretariat​ 

If you have any questions, please contact the team at circulareconomy@adb.org.