The 12^th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific was inaugurated today in Jaipur. The inaugural session was attended by Shri Manohar Lal, Union Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Bhajanlal Sharma, Chief Minister, Rajasthan. Mr. Trevor Hedley Manemahaga, Minister of Solomon Islands, Mr. Maina Vakafua Talia, Minister of Tuvalu, Mr. Ahmed Nizam, Deputy Minister of Climate Change of Maldives joined the session.  Mr.  Asao Keiichiro, Minister of Environment, Govt. of Japan joined the session through a virtual message.

Shri Prem Chand Agarwal, Minister of Urban Development, Govt. of Uttarakhand, Shri Vipul Goel, Minister of Urban Local Bodies, Govt. of Haryana, Shri Jhabbar Singh Kharra, Minister of Urban Development & Housing, Govt. of Rajasthan, Shri Kailash Vijayvargiya, Minister of Urban Development & Housing, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh also graced the occasion.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Message

On this occasion, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi shared a special written message with the delegates of the Forum emphasising that India follows & strongly advocates the P-3 (Pro Planet People) approach. He has also mentioned that India has always been more than willing to share it experiences and learnings in its journey towards Circular Economy.

In his message, he highlighted the role of 3R and Circular Economy principles in ensuring sustainable urban development and resource efficiency. He highlighted India’s leadership in global sustainability efforts, including Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and the Panchamrit Goals announced at COP26, reinforcing India’s commitment to a net-zero future.

Union Minister’s Address

Inaugurating the event, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal, welcomed dignitaries, industry leaders, and international representatives. He expressed pride in India hosting the 12th edition of the forum, after the successful 8th forum in Indore. The Minister highlighted Jaipur as an ideal venue due to its deep-rooted traditions in sustainability, such as rainwater harvesting and handicrafts made from recycled materials. He thanked Hon’ble CM of Rajasthan Shri Bhajanlal Sharma for his leadership in making sustainability key pillar in the State’s development.

Launch of Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3)

Taking forward PM Modi’s vision, Shri Manohar Lal announced the Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3), a multi-nation alliance for city-to-city collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and private sector partnerships. He stated, “We propose that a working group of member nations be formed after this forum to finalize the coalition’s structure and operational framework.” This  is expected to be a game changer in the city- city partnerships across nations. Shri Manohar Lal reaffirmed that this forum will act as a catalyst for resource efficiency and a low-carbon economy, strengthening collaboration between policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers to build a sustainable future.

During the inaugural address the Minister said “Circular Economy is not just an environmental responsibility but an economic necessity”. He pointed out that India has always practiced sustainable living, but industrialization led to an increase in waste and resource inefficiency. “Now is the time to modernize and integrate these traditional sustainable practices with technological advancements,” he said.

Shri Manohar Lal emphasized that under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is championing Circular Economy on the global stage. He highlighted key government initiatives such as:

✔ Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment)

✔ Panchamrit Goals at COP26, committing India to net-zero emissions by 2070

✔ Swachh Bharat Mission & AMRUT 2.0, tackling urban waste and wastewater recycling

The Minister also spoke about India’s focus on Bio-CNG, plastic waste management, and e-waste recycling, reaffirming the government’s resolve to create a low-carbon, resource-efficient society.

Jaipur Declaration (2025-2034)

Shri Manohar Lal announced that the forum will adopt the Jaipur Declaration (2025-2034), a non-political, non-binding commitment that will guide the next decade of efforts towards resource efficiency and sustainable urban growth.

3R India Pavilion – Showcasing Innovation

Shri Manohar Lal, along with Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Bhajanlal Sharma, inaugurated the 3R India Pavilion. The pavilion features the International 3R Trade and Technology Exhibition, showcasing over 40 Indian and Japanese businesses and start-ups working on waste management and Circular Economy solutions.

Chief Minister’s Remarks

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Shri Bhajanlal Sharma, mentioned that  circular economy is not just a necessity for today but also for our future. He said that issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution are creating challenge for the planet Earth and Circular Economy is the most effective way to cope with these challenges.

He said that it is a system where waste is reused & recycled causing reduced energy consumption and renewable energy is promoted.

Highlighting the steps taken by Rajasthan Government Chief Minister said that the Rajasthan government is playing a leading role in this mission. An Environmental Management Cell (EMC) has been established so that waste management and recycling can be done more effectively.

Inauguration of the 3R India Pavilion

As part of the forum, the 3R India Pavilion was jointly inaugurated by Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal and Chief Minister Shri Bhajanlal Sharma. The pavilion features the International 3R Trade and Technology Exhibition, showcasing innovative waste management and circular economy solutions from over 40 Indian and Japanese businesses and start-ups. The exhibition serves as a platform for industry leaders to explore cutting-edge technologies in resource efficiency and recycling.

Signing of MoU for City Investments to Innovate Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS) 2.0

During the event, a key Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for CITIIS 2.0 was signed, marking a significant milestone in urban sustainability initiatives. The Minister also spoke about CITIIS 2.0, a flagship initiative driving integrated waste management and climate action. He announced that agreements worth ₹1,800 crores will be signed under this initiative, benefiting 18 cities across 14 states, and serving as lighthouse projects for other urban areas.

The 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum will continue over the next few days, featuring expert discussions, policy dialogues, and collaborative initiatives to shape the future of sustainable urban development.

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