AMCEN 18th Session side event: Enhancing Sustainability through Circularity

This side event was held in the margins of the 18th Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in Dakar Senegal. It was organised and managed by the EU-funded SWITCH Africa Green Programme and included participants from countries, financial institutions, development banks, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), development partners, the private sector, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

UNEP, through SWITCH Africa Green Programme, is developing guidelines for implementing a circular economy in Africa and assessment of green financing mechanisms for supporting MSMEs to green their businesses. Consultations with different stakeholders on the development of the two documents have been ongoing through June and July 2022. The validated reports will then be ready for use in promoting a circular economy in Africa by the different stakeholders.

Africa is at the forefront of integrating circular economy in the development process of countries as a means to attain the implementation of SDGs, promote resource efficiency and Sustainable Consumption and Production. The side event will be an hour discussion by panelists who will discuss topical issues that are geared to enhancing sustainability through circularity with participants well versed with the subject matter and from countries and relevant institutions.

The side event contributed to the operationalization of the AMCEN decision and UNEA resolution on green business development, circular economy and sustainable consumption and production. The main objectives of the side event included:

• Stimulation of discussions on how best African countries can integrate circular economy in their development process as a contribution to transition to green economy and in implementing relevant SDGs.
• Explaining the relevance of the regional guidelines in attaining the benefits of implementing circular economy in the countries
• Engaging different stakeholders in appreciating the opportunities and challenges of adopting circular economy principles
• Understanding the different green financing mechanisms available in Africa to Micro-, Small- and Medium-Enterprises (MSMEs) to different institutions including policy makers, financial institutions, guarantee funds, development partners and private sector
• Contribution of a circular economy transition in combating climate change efforts in Africa.

Expected outcomes

• Better understanding and appreciation of integration circular economy in the development processes of African countries including NDCs.
• Contribution to the implementation of the AMCEN decision and UNEA resolution on circular economy
• Increased awareness of guidelines for implementation of circular economy in Africa
• Understanding the different green financing mechanisms for MSMEs to implement circular economy
• Understanding the role of circular economy in upcoming COP 27.