Welcome to the United Nations 
Date: Wednesday, 10 October 2018
Time: 15:00-18:00
Location: Conference Room 4, UN Headquarters, New York
By the year 2030, our world population is projected to increase by one billion inhabitants. This global population growth, coupled with rapid urbanization and economic growth is expected to increase global waste generation by over 70% over the next 30 years. The demand for natural resources will also far outreach the current capacity of the Earth, putting a dangerous strain on ecosystems.
Our current “linear” economic model, in which we, ‘take-make-consume-and throw away’ is putting both the planet and people at risk. It is clear that we must urgently move towards new economic models in order to achieve our collective vision for a more sustainable planet.
Against this backdrop, the Joint Meeting of ECOSOC and the Second Committee of the General Assembly will discuss how the transition towards a circular economy, an economy in which waste and pollution do not exist by design, products and materials are kept in use, and natural systems are regenerated, can be leveraged to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals. The discussion will focus on opportunities and challenges in transitioning from a linear to a circular economy, industries and stakeholders leading in the transition, and the policy frameworks and platforms which are enabling this important shift. The Meeting will also explore how partnerships between different sectors are helping to accelerate the adoption of a circular economy in different areas of the world.