India to Host World Circular Economy Forum 2026 in Gandhinagar
India will host the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat from September 15-18, 2026, marking the first time South Asia hosts this global platform. The forum is themed 'Circular Economy: Transition for People and Prosperity' and will be jointly inaugurated by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav and Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel on September 15, 2026.
The event is being jointly organized by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India, the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, Government of Finland, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India, Government of Gujarat, and Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB). The objective is to showcase India's initiatives for promoting circularity and enhancing international cooperation, with participation expected from over 2,000 cross-sectoral stakeholders from more than 65 countries, including business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, policymakers, academicians, and changemakers.
Event Structure and Participation
The forum will feature 4 plenary sessions and 16 parallel thematic sessions on September 15-16, 2026, covering applications of AI, employment potential, energy production, circular finance, governance, sustainable products, industrial solutions, start-up ecosystem, and youth leadership. An international expo will showcase practical circular solutions with 125+ national and international exhibitors presenting investment-ready innovations developed by start-ups.
On the sidelines, the Board of 10 Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (10 YFP) will hold its in-person meeting on September 15 at Gandhinagar, reflecting India's recent assumption of the Co-Chair role of the 10 YFP Board. On September 17-18, 2026, global collaborators will independently organize 80 accelerator sessions online/hybrid and in person at Gandhinagar and other locations worldwide.
The closing ceremony on September 18 will be attended by Gujarat's Minister for Forests, Environment and Climate Change Shri Arjunbhai Devabhai Modhwadia, along with Finland's Minister of Climate and the Environment Ms. Sari Multala, Gujarat's Minister of State for Forests and Environment, Climate Change Shri Pravinbhai Mali, and SITRA's Director of International Programmes Mr. Kristo Lehtonen.