Romanian Government to participate in public-private dialogue on circular economy, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation

The Romanian Government is collaborating as a key dialogue partner with the private sector in a pivotal workshop on circular economy, scheduled to take place in Bucharest, at the InterContinental Athénée Palace, Regina Maria Hall, on January 31, in a joint effort with the International Finance Corporation (IFC). This event represents a proactive step towards the operationalization of Romania’s Circular Economy Action Plan.

The objective of this collaboration is to facilitate public-private dialogue among Government members, ministers, sustainability experts, private sector executives, and representatives from financial institutions. The goal is to advance the implementation of circular economy principles, to create actionable strategies that align with the Circular Economy Action Plan developed by the Romanian Government. The collaboration provides a framework in which government experts from various ministries and the National Committee for Circular Economy Coordination can directly interact with leaders from the private sector.

“Our collaborative efforts with various stakeholders, including businesses, NGOs, and academic institutions, are essential for the development of circular economy as a significant economic opportunity for Romania,” stated Mihaela Frasineanu, State Counsellor. “Initiatives like ‘Circularity in Action’ developed by IFC allow us to identify innovative solutions for realizing the current plans of the Circular Economy Coordination Committee. The enthusiastic contribution of the private sector with recommendations for the joint operationalization of circular economy plans is particularly encouraging and demonstrates that we have a shared vision regarding circularity. I hope that at the end of this dialogue, our plans prove to be both ambitious and practical, therefore impactful.”

“Following our ambitious strategy and the associated action plan on circular economy in Romania, I am delighted to witness this momentum in our public-private dialogues,” said Laszlo Borbely, State Counsellor, Head of the Department for Sustainable Development. “We are fully committed to making the Circular Economy Action Plan a reality, and while we undertake over 52 strategic actions with their own associated action plans, the essence of our success lies in the collective effort and shared enthusiasm of all stakeholders. The IFC-initiated ‘Circularity in Action’ initiative offers more than just a platform for exchanging ideas. The proactive commitment and innovative contributions of the private sector are particularly commendable. Together, we are not just planning, but actively shaping a future where economic growth and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.”

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Central to the discussions at the workshop is the “Circularity in Action Report | Recommendations for the Operationalization of the Circular Economy in Romania,” jointly developed by IFC, FEPRA GROUP, and PIVOT-C. This report, which will be officially launched at the workshop, is the outcome of extensive consultations with representatives from over 70 companies in key sectors targeted by the circular economy plan, industry associations, and local authorities, conducted from May to September 2023. The report covers various aspects of the circular economy, such as sector-specific action plans, financial mechanisms, capacity building, technology adoption, policy harmonization, public-private partnerships, awareness campaigns, innovation hubs, evaluation frameworks, and international collaboration. The report also presents global examples and best practices, serving as a reference for the integration of a national circular economy plan.

The collaboration between the Romanian Government and the International Finance Corporation marks a significant step towards the effective application of circular economy principles in Romania. This initiative aligns with the Romanian national strategy and corresponds to the European Union directives on circular economy, establishing a framework for collaboration and synergy among all involved actors.