VIENNA – UNIDO Director General Li Yong delivered a welcoming speech to the  participants of the global consultations on circular economy, in which he encouraged multilateral cooperation to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. He emphasized that a circular economy presents an exceptional opportunity to promote inclusive and sustainable industrial development, while addressing major global challenges.

The Austrian Co-Chair, Leonore Gewessler, Federal Minister for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology, opened the global consultations and stressed the urgency to develop and adopt economic models that are fair and just for everyone. She acknowledged that a circular economy is a fundamental and necessary shift from unsustainable consumption and production patterns, that are among the main root causes of environmental degradation.

The Costa Rican Co-Chair, Andrea Meza Murillo, Minister of Environment and Energy, encouraged all Member States to adopt circular economy principles as a solution to the climate crisis, critically cutting greenhouse gas emissions across value chains. She advocated circularity as a means to allow the regeneration of depleted environments while ensuring well-being of the current and future generations.