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What is WCEF?

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The World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) is a global initiative of Finland and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra. It brings together more than 2,000 business leaders, policymakers and experts from around the world to present the world’s best circular economy solutions. The WCEF examines how businesses can seize new opportunities, gain a competitive advantage through circular economy solutions and how the circular economy contributes to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We believe that truly competitive solutions are born when business and environment go hand in hand.

The first forum was organised in Helsinki, Finland in June 2017 with 1,600 participants from nearly 100 countries. In 2018, Sitra brought the concept to Yokohama, Japan where more than 1,100 circular economy experts discussed what we need to do to create a true circular economy by 2050. See the outcomes of the WCEF2018 here.

See the atmosphere at the World Circular Economy Forum 2018 in Yokohama, Japan:

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WCEF2019 in Helsinki, Finland, 3-5 June 2019
Scale it up! The next era of the circular economy

The World Circular Economy Forum 2019 was organised on 3-5 June 2019 at Finlandia Hall in the centre of the Finnish capital Helsinki. Finlandia Hall is a multipurpose venue and one of the most iconic buildings designed by world-renowned Finnish architect, Alvar Aalto.

The World Circular Economy Forum 2019 built on the events of 2017 and 2018. The WCEF2017 identified key elements of a circular economy and showcased solutions and learnings from around the world. The WCEF2018 painted visions of a circular future to strive towards and encouraged the world’s leading economies to set out on this path.

In the next era of the circular economy, it’s time to transform “the best kept secret” into global impact. Great solutions have been identified all over the world. We now need to scale things up.

The WCEF2019 had a strong emphasis on scaling up the circular economy transition. This involves growing investments into circular economy businesses, spreading and adopting new technologies and making significant regulatory changes that enable the circular economy to flourish.

The WCEF brings together business leaders, policymakers and experts to present the world’s best circular economy solutions.

The next era of the circular economy must be even more circular, but also fairer and more inclusive. The circular economy must benefit both the rich and the poor globally.

Consisting of 17 plenary and parallel sessions with keynotes speeches, thematic discussions and networking opportunities, WCEF2019 was a landmark event of the year. Over 2,200 participants attended the WCEF2019 in Helsinki.

In 2020, Sitra will organise a virtual WCEFonline event and in 2021, the annual forum will be held in Toronto, Canada.

If you have any questions about the WCEF2019, send us an email to wcef2019(at)www.sitra.fi.

The World Circular Economy Forum 2019 will be organised on 3-5 June 2019 at Finlandia Hall in the centre of the Finnish capital Helsinki.
The World Circular Economy Forum 2019 will be organised on 3-5 June 2019 at Finlandia Hall in the centre of the Finnish capital Helsinki.

 

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Key Partners

Partners

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The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra is hosting the WCEF2019 together with its key partners the European Investment Bank, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland, Ministry of the Environment of Finland, Nordic Innovation, and partners Climate-KIC, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the European Commission, the European Environment Agency, Helsinki Metropolitan Smart & Clean Foundation, UN Environment, and the World Bank. Renewable Matter is our media partner.

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