Today, Virginius Sinkeviius, European Commission for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, took part in a High Level Circular Economy event with high ranking African representatives from the African Union and the African Circular Economy Alliance. This event highlighted the possibilities offered by the Circular Economy Transition in the EU and Africa, and the willingness of African green companies and entrepreneurs for increased cooperation.
This High Level Event was jointly organized by the European Commission, the African Circular Economy Alliance and took place in the context the Europe Africa Business Forum that took place in the margins of the European Union African Union Summit on 17-18 February.
The virtual event brought together representatives from businesses in Europe and Africa that are using Circular Economy business models, notably in the e-waste management or recycling industries. It was a chance to have frank discussions about the opportunities and challenges of making the EU and African economies more circular.
Commissioner Sinkeviius said:
There is a growing recognition in both the EU and Africa of the necessity to increase the circularity within our economies, in order to decouple resource use and growth. We need to work together with our African and EU businesses to close the loop. This is possible through events like these, which increase EU cooperation with the African Union (African Circular Economy Alliance) on circular economy. We must all work together to make today’s challenges a learning opportunity and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Europe Africa Business Forum participants, titled Building Stronger Valu Chains for Sustainable Growth & Decent Jobs, also had the opportunity to participate in other events relating to the Circular Economy transition within the textile and Agri-Food value chains. They could also take part in matchmaking events that allowed them to meet with African counterparts to discuss how to turn circular principles in Europe and Africa into green business opportunities.
During this event, Jeanne dArc Mujawamariya (Environment Minister of Rwanda) and co-chair of African Circular Economy Alliance welcomed the European Commission to the African Circular Economy Alliance as a new Strategic Partner.
The EU and African Union, represented by Josefa Sako, African Union Commissioner, Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, are interested in strengthening their collaboration on environmental issues.
The European Commission as well as African partners will be looking at ways to continue to build on the success of this event by continuing to exchange experiences and best practices at technical level on policies related the circular economy, the efficient and sustainable use resources, and the conservation of natural resources. This is notably through the work done by the African Circular Economy Alliance.
Background
They are key partners in promoting a circular economy transition because of their ability to contribute to key environmental challenges as well as their potential for economic growth.
The European Circular Economy Action Plan is a comprehensive plan that aims to transform Europe’s economy and ensure that EU resources remain in the EU economy as long as possible. It notably focuses on making sustainable products the norm on the EU market, on empowering citizens, and on reducing waste production by focusing on key sectors that use the most resources and where the potential for circularity is high (electronics/ICT, batteries and vehicles, packaging/plastics, textiles, construction/buildings and food, water and nutrients):
The African Circular Economy Alliance is a government-led alliance of African nations and international partners that is committed to advancing the transition to a circular economy at all levels. It was created in 2016 at the World Economic Forum on Africa in Kigali, and officially launched at COP 23 Bonn in 2017. Since 2019, the ACEA Secretariat has been located at the African Development Bank. It has identified five sectors that are promising for scaling up Africa’s circular value chains. These sectors include food systems, packaging and the built environment.
Recent studies have shown the positive impact of the circular economy transition on GDP growth, job creation, and the environment.
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EU Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP)
CEAP – International dimension of EUs