This year, the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ECESP), an initiative jointly developed and hosted by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), joined forces with the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council and the Finland-based World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) for its flagship conference on 15 and 16 April.

Held at the Square, the Brussels Convention Centre, and boasting more than 1000 participants and 150 speakers, the conference showcased impactful circular solutions, guided by the latest scientific findings. EESC delegates shared the ECESP's success story.

Cillian Lohan, EESC member and ECESP co-founder, hailed the ECESP as the 'network of networks,' bridging policy-making and civil society for circular progress. Anders Ladefoged, member of the ECESP's Steering Group, highlighted its role in discussing Europe's circular progress and gaps, offering a platform for collaboration and learning. EESC's Maria Nikolopoulou emphasised the ECESP's growing interactivity, facilitating dialogue through initiatives like #EUCircularTalks.

During the conference's closing plenary, the Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen announced two initiatives to support the global transition to a circular economy: the EU Circular Economy Resource Centre, funded by the European Commission with EUR 15 million, and the "SWITCH to Circular Economy in East and Southern Africa" programme, to which the Commission will contribute €40 million over five years. ECESP pledged support for both initiatives.

The ECESP, initiated by EESC and the European Commission in 2017, promotes dialogue, disseminates good practices and provides information on the circular economy to turn visions into actions. The EESC has been actively advocating for circularity, having thrown its support for the EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy back in 2015. The platform serves as a joint endeavour to engage all stakeholders in realising a circular vision, aiming to accelerate the transition through dialogue and cooperation.(ks)