BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:unctad.org BEGIN:VEVENT UID:6a51177657d55 DTSTART:20241211T130000Z SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE DTEND:20241211T143000Z LOCATION:Online\, SUMMARY:Webinar: Enhancing local-global dialogue for sustainable water and solid waste management in urban areas – implications for trade and citie s development CLASS:PUBLIC DESCRIPTION:The rapid urbanization of the global population\, with over 4.4 billion people currently residing in cities\, has intensified challenges related to waste management. As cities expand\, the generation of municipa l wastewater\, solid waste (both organic and inorganic fractions)\, and gr eenhouse gas emissions increases significantly.Recent studies highlight th at while solid waste scales linearly with population growth\, wastewater p roduction increases at a superlinear rate\, and emissions grow sublinearly . For example\, Municipal solid waste generation is predicted to grow from 2.1 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050 (UNEP\, 2014). I t is also estimated that\, globally\, over 80% of all wastewaters produced is discharged into the environment without adequate treatment although th e level varies across different regions. The complexity of these challenge s\, which involve multiple dimensions of pollution beyond GHG emissions\, requires innovative solutions that promote circular economy actions at the local level with global support.A transformative approach\, involving a s hift from unsustainable consumption and production patterns towards a circ ular economy across the various fractions of solid waste and water managem ent\, is essential. International organizations\, by fostering cooperation with Local and Regional Governments (LRGs)\, can play a critical role in supporting cities to achieve water and solid waste management and material recovery goals that contributes to local socio-economic development and a ligns with global sustainability objectives (SDG 6\, 11\, 12 and 14).Objec tivesThe webinar aims to:Facilitate cooperation: Explore how international organizations can support local waste management efforts through knowledg e sharing\, capacity building\, and funding.Showcase best practices: Prese nt successful case studies of waste reuse\, repurposing\, recycling\, upcy cling and reduction from cities around the world.Encourage policy innovati on: Discuss policy frameworks that integrate circular economy principles i nto urban planning and waste management.Thematic areas1. Solid waste manag ement (including plastic)Growing incomes and consumption lead to increased municipal solid waste\, particularly plastics and organic waste\, which c an have long-lasting environmental impacts if mismanaged. Changing the pro duction and consumption mindset would save the municipality on operational costs to be redirected towards essential public services like education\, healthcare\, and infrastructure.2. Wastewater managementAs cities grow\, wastewater production increases faster than population growth\, stressing existing infrastructure and leading to pollution of water bodies. Implemen ting decentralized filtering and wastewater treatment systems requires sig nificant resources. It might bring new trade in services providers and inc rease employment opportunities\, which can help reduce unemployment and bo ost the local economy.3. Greenhouse gas emissionsUrban areas are major con tributors to greenhouse gas emissions\, although the increase in emissions is slower than population growth. Better energy and materials efficiency – adapting clean technologies\, enhancing public transportation – impr oves public health and the quality of life for residents\, especially in m arginalized communities\, and enhances overall workforce productivity.4. S olid waste treatment and reuseEfficient recycling and reuse systems are es sential for reducing the overall waste burden\, including plastics. Howeve r\, scaling these systems in large urban settings is complex and expensive . Developing circular economy strategies support the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)\, drives innovation\, and increases e conomic resilience within urban areas.Role of International OrganizationsI nternational organizations\, such as UN Trade and Development\, UN-Habitat \, UNDP\, UNEP and the World Bank are pivotal in assisting cities to achie ve sustainable waste management goals. Their roles include:Knowledge shari ng: Creating platforms for LRGs to exchange experiences\, challenges\, and solutions in waste management\, fostering a global community of practice. Policy support: Assisting in the development of national and local policie s that align with global sustainability goals and promote waste reduction\ , recycling\, and reuse.Capacity building: Providing training and resource s to local authorities and stakeholders on best practices in waste managem ent and circular economy.Funding and investments: Facilitating access to i nternational funds for infrastructure development\, technology adoption\, and innovative waste management projects.Expected outcomesIdentification o f practical strategies and solutions for effective urban waste management. Strengthened collaboration between local governments\, international organ izations\, and other stakeholders.Actionable recommendations for integrati ng circular economy principles into urban waste management.Tentative Progr amme Panelists:Mr. Graham Alabaster\, Head of UN Habitat Geneva OfficeMs. Mona Mohammed\, Programme Manager at the Life Cycle Initiative and Cities and Buildings Unit\, Climate Change Division\, UNEPMr. David Vivas Eugui\ , Chief of Section\, Ocean and Circular Economy\, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)Mr. Henrique Pacini\, Economic Affairs Officer\, Trade\, Environm ent\, Climate Change and Sustainable Development\, UN Trade and Developmen t\, (UNCTAD)Mr. Victor Neequaye Kotey is the Deputy Director of the Waste Management Department of the Accra Metropolitan AssemblyModerator:Mr. Andr as Szorenyi\, Senior Policy Advisor\, Global Cities Hub<\;p>\;The rapi d urbanization of the global population\, with over 4.4 billion people cur rently residing in cities\, has intensified challenges related to waste ma nagement. As cities expand\, the generation of municipal wastewater\, soli d waste (both organic and inorganic fractions)\, and greenhouse gas emissi ons increases significantly.<\;/p>\;<\;p>\;Recent studies highligh t that while solid waste scales linearly with population growth\, wastewat er production increases at a superlinear rate\, and emissions grow subline arly. For example\, Municipal solid waste generation is predicted to grow from 2.1 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050 (UNEP\, 2014 ). It is also estimated that\, globally\, over 80% of all wastewaters prod uced is discharged into the environment without adequate treatment althoug h the level varies across different regions. The complexity of these chall enges\, which involve multiple dimensions of pollution beyond GHG emission s\, requires innovative solutions that promote circular economy actions at the local level with global support.<\;/p>\;<\;p>\;A transformati ve approach\, involving a shift from unsustainable consumption and product ion patterns towards a circular economy across the various fractions of so lid waste and water management\, is essential. International organizations \, by fostering cooperation with Local and Regional Governments (LRGs)\, c an play a critical role in supporting cities to achieve water and solid wa ste management and material recovery goals that contributes to local socio -economic development and aligns with global sustainability objectives (SD G 6\, 11\, 12 and 14).<\;/p>\;<\;h4>\;Objectives<\;/h4>\;<\; p>\;The webinar aims to:<\;/p>\;<\;ol>\;<\;li>\;<\;strong& gt\;Facilitate cooperation:<\;/strong>\; Explore how international org anizations can support local waste management efforts through knowledge sh aring\, capacity building\, and funding.<\;/li>\;<\;li>\;<\;stro ng>\;Showcase best practices:<\;/strong>\; Present successful case s tudies of waste reuse\, repurposing\, recycling\, upcycling and reduction from cities around the world.<\;/li>\;<\;li>\;<\;strong>\;Enco urage policy innovation:<\;/strong>\; Discuss policy frameworks that i ntegrate circular economy principles into urban planning and waste managem ent.<\;/li>\;<\;/ol>\;<\;h4>\;Thematic areas<\;/h4>\;<\; p>\;<\;strong>\;1. Solid waste management (including plastic)<\;/s trong>\;<\;/p>\;<\;p>\;Growing incomes and consumption lead to i ncreased municipal solid waste\, particularly plastics and organic waste\, which can have long-lasting environmental impacts if mismanaged. Changing the production and consumption mindset would save the municipality on ope rational costs to be redirected towards essential public services like edu cation\, healthcare\, and infrastructure.<\;/p>\;<\;p>\;<\;stron g>\;2. Wastewater management<\;/strong>\;<\;/p>\;<\;p>\;As c ities grow\, wastewater production increases faster than population growth \, stressing existing infrastructure and leading to pollution of water bod ies. Implementing decentralized filtering and wastewater treatment systems requires significant resources. It might bring new trade in services prov iders and increase employment opportunities\, which can help reduce unempl oyment and boost the local economy.<\;/p>\;<\;p>\;<\;strong>\; 3. Greenhouse gas emissions<\;/strong>\;<\;/p>\;<\;p>\;Urban a reas are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions\, although the inc rease in emissions is slower than population growth. Better energy and mat erials efficiency – adapting clean technologies\, enhancing public trans portation – improves public health and the quality of life for residents \, especially in marginalized communities\, and enhances overall workforce productivity.<\;/p>\;<\;p>\;<\;strong>\;4. Solid waste treatm ent and reuse<\;/strong>\;<\;/p>\;<\;p>\;Efficient recycling a nd reuse systems are essential for reducing the overall waste burden\, inc luding plastics. However\, scaling these systems in large urban settings i s complex and expensive. Developing circular economy strategies support th e development of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)\, drives innov ation\, and increases economic resilience within urban areas.<\;/p>\;& lt\;h4>\;Role of International Organizations<\;/h4>\;<\;p>\;Inte rnational organizations\, such as UN Trade and Development\, UN-Habitat\, UNDP\, UNEP and the World Bank are pivotal in assisting cities to achieve sustainable waste management goals. Their roles include:<\;/p>\;<\;o l>\;<\;li>\;<\;strong>\;Knowledge sharing: <\;/strong>\;Crea ting platforms for LRGs to exchange experiences\, challenges\, and solutio ns in waste management\, fostering a global community of practice.<\;/li >\;<\;li>\;<\;strong>\;Policy support: <\;/strong>\;Assistin g in the development of national and local policies that align with global sustainability goals and promote waste reduction\, recycling\, and reuse. <\;/li>\;<\;li>\;<\;strong>\;Capacity building: <\;/strong&g t\;Providing training and resources to local authorities and stakeholders on best practices in waste management and circular economy.<\;/li>\;&l t\;li>\;<\;strong>\;Funding and investments: <\;/strong>\;Facili tating access to international funds for infrastructure development\, tech nology adoption\, and innovative waste management projects.<\;/li>\;&l t\;/ol>\;<\;h4>\;Expected outcomes<\;/h4>\;<\;ol>\;<\;li&g t\;Identification of practical strategies and solutions for effective urba n waste management.<\;/li>\;<\;li>\;Strengthened collaboration bet ween local governments\, international organizations\, and other stakehold ers.<\;/li>\;<\;li>\;Actionable recommendations for integrating ci rcular economy principles into urban waste management.<\;/li>\;<\;/o l>\;<\;h4>\;Tentative Programme&\;nbsp\;<\;/h4>\;<\;p>\;& lt\;strong>\;Panelists:<\;/strong>\;<\;/p>\;<\;ul>\;<\;li& gt\;<\;strong>\;Mr. Graham Alabaster\, <\;/strong>\;Head of UN Hab itat Geneva Office<\;/li>\;<\;li>\;<\;strong>\;Ms. Mona Mohamm ed\,<\;/strong>\; Programme Manager at the Life Cycle Initiative and C ities and Buildings Unit\, Climate Change Division\, UNEP<\;/li>\;<\ ;li>\;<\;strong>\;Mr. David Vivas Eugui\, <\;/strong>\;Chief of Section\, Ocean and Circular Economy\, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)&l t\;/li>\;<\;li>\;<\;strong>\;Mr. Henrique Pacini\,<\;/strong&g t\; Economic Affairs Officer\, Trade\, Environment\, Climate Change and Su stainable Development\, UN Trade and Development\, (UNCTAD)<\;/li>\;&l t\;li>\;<\;strong>\;Mr. Victor Neequaye Kotey<\;/strong>\; is th e Deputy Director of the Waste Management Department of the Accra Metropol itan Assembly<\;/li>\;<\;/ul>\;<\;p>\;<\;strong>\;Moderato r:<\;/strong>\;<\;/p>\;<\;ul>\;<\;li>\;<\;strong>\;Mr. Andras Szorenyi\,<\;/strong>\; Senior Policy Advisor\, Global Cities Hub<\;/li>\;<\;/ul>\;\n\nView meeting on unctad.org\nhttps://uncta d.org/meeting/webinar-enhancing-local-global-dialogue-sustainable-water-an d-solid-waste-management-urban DTSTAMP:20260710T160158Z END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR