Jaipur is all set to host the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific. The Forum will take place at the Rajasthan International Centre from 3-5 March 2025. The event, focused on the theme of "Realizing Circular Societies Towards Achieving SDGs and Carbon Neutrality in Asia-Pacific,” will bring together global leaders and international experts to drive discussions on advancing circular economy practices.

A press conference was organised today at the Rajasthan International Centre to share details about the Forum. Addressing the media, Shri Tokhan Sahu, Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, emphasised Rajasthan’s role in organising this international event. Shri Jhabhar Singh Kharra, State Minister (Independent Charge) of Urban Development and Local Self Government, Rajasthan also addressed the Press Conference today and highlighted the role of this Forum in strengthening the efforts of Rajasthan in the circular economy sector. The Curtain Raiser of the Conference was earlier done by Shri Manohar Lal, Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs on 24th February 2025 at New Delhi.

Launched by UNCRD in 2009, the Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum aims to provide strategic policy inputs to government authorities in the Asia-Pacific region for mainstreaming 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) and circularity and serve as a platform for disseminating and sharing best practices in 3R. The last Forum was hosted by Cambodia in 2023. India has previously hosted the Forum in 2018, when the 8th edition was held in Indore.

Shri Tokhan Sahu, Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, informed that an important takeaway of the 12th Regional Forum will be the ‘Jaipur Declaration’, which will be adopted on the closing day. The decadal declaration, for the period of 2025-34, will aim to provide participating countries with a framework for developing 3R and circular economy policies and programs. This will enable a shift from a linear ‘take-make-dispose’ economy to a circular economy. The Jaipur Declaration builds upon the Hanoi Declaration (2013-23) and is a voluntary and legally non-binding agreement.

Shri Sahu also informed that another standout feature of the 12th Forum is the ‘India Pavilion’, which will showcase India’s remarkable initiatives and achievements in the 3R and circular economy domain. This Pavilion will feature exhibitions from 15 key line ministries and national missions, reflecting India’s whole-of-government approach to sustainable development. It will also serve as a hub for interactive knowledge-sharing, with sessions such as the ‘Ministerial Dialogue,’ ‘Mayors’ Dialogue,’ and ‘Policy Dialogue’. Further, agreements for 18 cities will be signed to activate the CITIIS 2.0 program, which includes integrated waste management projects. CITIIS 2.0, a Union Cabinet-approved program in 2023, aims to promote a circular economy with focus on integrated waste management by providing financial and technical support to projects. These 18 Smart Cities were selected through a challenge process. Out of these 18 cities, 2 cities- Jaipur and Udaipur have been selected under CITIIS 2.0.

The 12^th Regional Forum is being spearheaded by the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, in collaboration with Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, UN ESCAP, UNCRD, UNDSDG, and UNDESA, with support from the Government of Rajasthan. More than 500 international and domestic participants are expected to attend the three-day conference in the capital city.

The Forum will comprise plenary sessions, country-specific discussions, theme-based roundtables, as well as knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities. Delegates will also have the opportunity to visit key solid and liquid waste management facilities in Jaipur, along with heritage tours.

Shri Jhabhar Singh Kharra, State Minister (Independent Charge) of Urban Development and Local Self Government, Rajasthan informed that his department has been actively supporting the preparations of Forum. The Department will also engage in various sessions during the 3-day conference. He also informed that 11 case studies from Jaipur are also a part of a compendium of 100 best practices booklet on 3R & Circular Economy. This booklet will be released during the Forum.

This Forum follows the successful ‘Rising Rajasthan’ Global Investment Summit, which was held in Jaipur in December 2024. The 12^th Regional Forum also includes an international ‘3R Trade and Technology Exhibition’ as a key attraction. Featuring over 40 Indian and Japanese companies and start-ups, the exhibition will present innovations and solutions supporting circularity and 3R principles. ‘Waste-to-wealth’ initiatives by NGOs and self-help groups across India will also be showcased at the Forum to promote sustainability-driven entrepreneurship and community engagement. The Forum will also feature a special showcase of Rajasthan’s ‘One District – One Product’ initiative, along with a folk cultural program to highlight the state's rich heritage.

To engage the people of Jaipur in this international forum and inspire 3R and circular practices at the community level, interactive activities will be organised at key locations in the city. Students and interested individuals will also be able to join the Forum online and gain insights from the high-level discussions on all three days. Participants may attend the sessions virtually by registering on https://3rcefindia.sbmurban.org/.

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