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We must define our goals and plan how to reach them. Then, most importantly, we must act.
The session will explore best practices and recommendations on how to develop, implement and monitor circular economy strategies and road maps, including the prevention of unintended negative impacts. It will highlight key lessons learned and remaining barriers to the successful roll out of circular economy road maps and how they can be implemented and monitored. The current and potential role of regional and global initiatives in accelerating the implementation of local, national and regional strategies will also be examined.
Opening remarks
Diane Gashumba
Ambassador
Embassy of Rwanda
Diane Gashumba is the Ambassador of Rwanda to the Nordic Countries, based in Stockholm. She was the minister of health for Rwanda from 2016 to 2020. She also served as minister of gender and family promotion and as deputy chief of party for the Rwanda Family Health Project/ Chemonics International. Gashumba is a senior pediatrician, seasoned global health leader and gender advocate. She served as a board member for Roll Back Malaria and Global Health Corps as well as co-chair of the Digital Health Advisory Group.
Measuring what matters: The critical role of data and statistics for managing and monitoring circular economy progress
Dmitry Mariyasin
Deputy Executive Secretary
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
Dmitry Mariyasin was appointed at UNECE on 1 March 2021. As No. 2 at the UN’s key regional cooperation body working on regulation in such areas as energy, environment, trade and transport, Mariyasin’s tasks include chairing the UNECE secretariat task force on partnerships for a circular economy. Prior to joining UNECE, he was the resident and deputy resident representative of UNDP in Armenia (2017–2021). He also served as the Team Leader, Partnerships in UNDP regional bureau for Europe and the CIS region (2011–2016) and other positions with UNDP at global, regional and country levels. Mariyasin holds a PhD in economics from Moscow State University and an MA in public administration from New York University.
Key components for a successful circular economy strategy: Learnings from practitioners
Stuart Mangold
Senior Policy Advisor
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, South Africa
Since 2007, Stuart Mangold is responsible for policy, research, negotiation as well as monitoring and reporting on African and South-South international engagements in the environmental field. He has extensive experience in multilateral and bilateral co-operation in the fields of environment, climate change, biodiversity, the circular economy, oceans and coastal management, particularly in Africa and the developing world. He is based in Pretoria, South Africa.
A lawyer by training, Astrid Schomaker is Director for green diplomacy and multilateralism in the European Commission's Directorate General for Environment. Since joining the Commission in 1992, she has held a variety of posts in the areas of international relations and environment policy, amongst them leading the work on chemical policy, marine issues and the EU's environment policy strategy to 2030.
Director General
Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment
Tho Dinh Nguyen is currently responsible for national strategies, planning and public policies on sustainable development and is designing regulations on green taxonomy and the circular economy in Vietnam. Nguyen holds a PhD in economics from University of London, and focuses his research on macroeconomics, financial markets, carbon markets, environment studies and sustainable development.
Senior Circular Economy Officer
Global Environment Facility
Leah Karrer is a professional and personal champion for the circular economy, which she recognises as integral to tackling unsustainable production and consumption. Having spent her 25-year career building, advising and directing global multi-million-dollar conservation initiatives at NOAA, IUCN and Conservation International, she currently oversees the Global Environment Facility’s portfolio of circular economy related projects, including the $100 million Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution Integrated Program. Previously she earned the Bronze Award at the US Department of Commerce and the Head in the Sky Award at CI. As a local activist and advocate for circular economy solutions in Washington, DC, Leah is promoting sustainable policies and practices at the World Bank, with local restaurants and grocers, and through the Smithsonian exhibits. The co-creator of Find Green, the first geospatial platform where users can find, compare and rate businesses based on their sustainability in order to collectively drive businesses to go green, Leah is also the proud mother of two increasingly circular daughters.
Undersecretary of the Environment
Secretariat of Sustainable Development, State of Querétaro
Ricardo Javier Torres Hernández is an environmental professional from Querétaro, Mexico with long experience in environmental management, climate change, the circular economy and legislation. He has a comprehensive understanding of sustainable practices and their impact on the environment. Torres is actively promoting sustainable practices and raising awareness about climate change. His contributions have played a crucial role in advancing the global transition towards a circular economy for environmental conservation. With a background in chemical environmental engineering, he holds a Master's in environmental sciences.
Minister of Environment, Peru
Ministry of Environment
Albina Ruiz Rios has extensive experience in the environmental sector, having served as vice-minister of environmental management. She has been an international consultant in local development projects, with emphasis on integrated solid waste management focusing on sustainability and inclusion, rational use of water and environmental planning and management. Her professional work has been recognised with awards such as: Fairness Award, granted by Global Fairness Initiative Washington; SA's Albert Medal granted by Willingsworth Tipton College in the United Kingdom; Energy Globe World Award Belgium-Brussels; Global Development Network by the Government of Japan; and Dubai International granted by the United Nations and the Municipality of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. She has authored several publications related to her experience in waste management, water and sanitation, recycling, social inclusion of waste pickers and the circular economy. She is also the founder of the organisation "Ciudad Saludable", dedicated since 2002 to addressing issues of integrated solid waste management as well as environmental education and communication. She has a PhD in chemical engineering from the Ramón Llull University of Barcelona, and she is an industrial engineer from the National University of Engineering in Spain, with a second specialisation in solid waste sanitary engineering, Spain.
Senior Policy Advisor
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, South Africa
Since 2007, Stuart Mangold is responsible for policy, research, negotiation as well as monitoring and reporting on African and South-South international engagements in the environmental field. He has extensive experience in multilateral and bilateral co-operation in the fields of environment, climate change, biodiversity, the circular economy, oceans and coastal management, particularly in Africa and the developing world. He is based in Pretoria, South Africa.
Minister of Environment, Peru
Ministry of Environment
Albina Ruiz Rios has extensive experience in the environmental sector, having served as vice-minister of environmental management. She has been an international consultant in local development projects, with emphasis on integrated solid waste management focusing on sustainability and inclusion, rational use of water and environmental planning and management. Her professional work has been recognised with awards such as: Fairness Award, granted by Global Fairness Initiative Washington; SA's Albert Medal granted by Willingsworth Tipton College in the United Kingdom; Energy Globe World Award Belgium-Brussels; Global Development Network by the Government of Japan; and Dubai International granted by the United Nations and the Municipality of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. She has authored several publications related to her experience in waste management, water and sanitation, recycling, social inclusion of waste pickers and the circular economy. She is also the founder of the organisation "Ciudad Saludable", dedicated since 2002 to addressing issues of integrated solid waste management as well as environmental education and communication. She has a PhD in chemical engineering from the Ramón Llull University of Barcelona, and she is an industrial engineer from the National University of Engineering in Spain, with a second specialisation in solid waste sanitary engineering, Spain.
Diane Gashumba is the Ambassador of Rwanda to the Nordic Countries, based in Stockholm. She was the minister of health for Rwanda from 2016 to 2020. She also served as minister of gender and family promotion and as deputy chief of party for the Rwanda Family Health Project/ Chemonics International. Gashumba is a senior pediatrician, seasoned global health leader and gender advocate. She served as a board member for Roll Back Malaria and Global Health Corps as well as co-chair of the Digital Health Advisory Group.
Undersecretary of the Environment
Secretariat of Sustainable Development, State of Querétaro
Ricardo Javier Torres Hernández is an environmental professional from Querétaro, Mexico with long experience in environmental management, climate change, the circular economy and legislation. He has a comprehensive understanding of sustainable practices and their impact on the environment. Torres is actively promoting sustainable practices and raising awareness about climate change. His contributions have played a crucial role in advancing the global transition towards a circular economy for environmental conservation. With a background in chemical environmental engineering, he holds a Master's in environmental sciences.
Senior Policy Advisor
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, South Africa
Since 2007, Stuart Mangold is responsible for policy, research, negotiation as well as monitoring and reporting on African and South-South international engagements in the environmental field. He has extensive experience in multilateral and bilateral co-operation in the fields of environment, climate change, biodiversity, the circular economy, oceans and coastal management, particularly in Africa and the developing world. He is based in Pretoria, South Africa.
Deputy Executive Secretary
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
Dmitry Mariyasin was appointed at UNECE on 1 March 2021. As No. 2 at the UN’s key regional cooperation body working on regulation in such areas as energy, environment, trade and transport, Mariyasin’s tasks include chairing the UNECE secretariat task force on partnerships for a circular economy. Prior to joining UNECE, he was the resident and deputy resident representative of UNDP in Armenia (2017–2021). He also served as the Team Leader, Partnerships in UNDP regional bureau for Europe and the CIS region (2011–2016) and other positions with UNDP at global, regional and country levels. Mariyasin holds a PhD in economics from Moscow State University and an MA in public administration from New York University.
Director General
Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment
Tho Dinh Nguyen is currently responsible for national strategies, planning and public policies on sustainable development and is designing regulations on green taxonomy and the circular economy in Vietnam. Nguyen holds a PhD in economics from University of London, and focuses his research on macroeconomics, financial markets, carbon markets, environment studies and sustainable development.
Senior Circular Economy Officer
Global Environment Facility
Leah Karrer is a professional and personal champion for the circular economy, which she recognises as integral to tackling unsustainable production and consumption. Having spent her 25-year career building, advising and directing global multi-million-dollar conservation initiatives at NOAA, IUCN and Conservation International, she currently oversees the Global Environment Facility’s portfolio of circular economy related projects, including the $100 million Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution Integrated Program. Previously she earned the Bronze Award at the US Department of Commerce and the Head in the Sky Award at CI. As a local activist and advocate for circular economy solutions in Washington, DC, Leah is promoting sustainable policies and practices at the World Bank, with local restaurants and grocers, and through the Smithsonian exhibits. The co-creator of Find Green, the first geospatial platform where users can find, compare and rate businesses based on their sustainability in order to collectively drive businesses to go green, Leah is also the proud mother of two increasingly circular daughters.
A lawyer by training, Astrid Schomaker is Director for green diplomacy and multilateralism in the European Commission's Directorate General for Environment. Since joining the Commission in 1992, she has held a variety of posts in the areas of international relations and environment policy, amongst them leading the work on chemical policy, marine issues and the EU's environment policy strategy to 2030.
