• Overview

Date: Monday, February 1st 2021

Time: 13:00 to 14:00h (Panama, EST, GMT-5)

Register here or watch the event live.

The new Circular Economy Coalition for Latin America and the Caribbean will be launched at this upcoming high-level event, as part of the XXII Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

In an interactive discussion, government representatives and partners will elaborate on circular economy as a key mechanism to build back better while contributing to the climate change, biodiversity and pollution prevention goals.

Coordinated by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), the new coalition will be led by a steering committee composed of four high-level government representatives on a rotating basis, starting with Colombia, Costa Rica, Perú and the Dominican Republic for the 2021-2022 period.

While many of the region’s countries have been actively working on national circular economy strategies, the coalition, which will count on the expertise, mandate, and knowledge of eight strategic permanent partners,is an unprecedented opportunity to  increase cooperation, scale up initiatives and strengthen public-private partnerships, as well as innovation and capacity development.

Speakers

Opening remarks:

  • Mr. Leo Heileman, Regional Director and Representative UN Environment   Programme (UNEP).
  • Mr. Carlos Correa, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of    Colombia, Chair of the Coalition.
  • Mrs. Adriana Zacarias, Head of GO4SDGs, UNEP.       

Panelists:

  • Perú: Mr. Jorge Mariano Castro, Vice Minister of Environmental Management of the Ministry of the Environment.
  • Costa Rica: Mr. Rolando Castro, Vice Minister of Energy and Environmental Quality of the Ministry of Environment and Energy.
  • Uruguay: Mr. Walter Verri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining.

Moderator: Mrs. Luisa Santiago, Lead Latin America, Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

Closing : Mr. Alex Saer, Technical Director, Environmental and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Colombia.