Representatives from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Cartagena Convention Secretariat, implementing partners such as INVEMAR, ANCON, Ministry of Water, Environment, Climate Change (MWECC) and National and local government partners, gathered in Panama City for the third in-person Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting of the Circular Cities Beyond Plastics Project.
The two-day meeting served as a key platform to review project implementation progress, align priorities for the next phase of execution, and strengthen regional collaboration to reduce marine plastic pollution and accelerate circular economy solutions across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Key objectives of the meeting included:
* Reviewing implementation progress against approved project activities in each participating country.
* Discussing the findings and recommendations of the Mid-Term Review.
* Presenting and aligning annual workplans and budgets within updated project timelines.
* Preparing and adopting decisions to guide the next phase of implementation through the Project Steering Committee.
Throughout the sessions, participants shared lessons learned, identified opportunities to strengthen regional coordination, and explored approaches to improve sustainability and long-term impact across participating countries.
The agenda included country and regional progress updates, discussions on risk management and project governance, presentations on private sector engagement, communications and gender strategies, and sessions focused on rescoping activities, project indicators, monitoring mechanisms, and implementation planning.
Participants also explored opportunities to strengthen synergies and partnerships across the region, reinforcing the importance of collaborative and multisectoral approaches to tackling plastic pollution and promoting circularity.
A highlight of the meeting was the Day 2 field visit with recyclers in Panama City, where participants engaged directly with actors working within the recycling value chain. The visit provided valuable insight into the realities, challenges, and
opportunities faced by recyclers and reinforced their essential role in advancing circular economy systems and preventing plastics from reaching the environment and marine ecosystems.
The PSC meeting concluded with the adoption of key decisions that will support the project’s continued implementation and regional coordination efforts.
As the Circular Cities Beyond Plastics project moves forward, partners remain committed to supporting cities and communities in transitioning toward more sustainable, inclusive, and circular systems that contribute to cleaner city environments and healthier oceans.
