India to Host World Circular Economy Forum 2026 in Gandhinagar

The WCEF 2026 will be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India from September 15 to 18, which would be the first such forum to be held in South Asia. WCEF 2026 will be organized under the theme “Circular Economy: Transition for People and Prosperity” and will gather over 2,000 delegates from over 65 countries to engage in discussions related to real solutions, investments and policy matters concerning the circular economy.

WCEF 2026: Theme and Objectives

The forum will explore ways of making economies less wasteful through reuse, refurbishment, recycling and reintroduction of materials and products back into the economic value chain.

WCEF 2026 is to promote India’s circular-economy efforts while enhancing international cooperation. Discussion topics will include financing and investing in a circular economy, policy dialogue and partnerships, and innovations, digitalization and technologies.

Furthermore, there will be increased collaboration with the Global South countries.

More Than 2,000 Attendees and 125+ Exhibitors

Over 2,000 cross-sector stakeholders from 65+ nations are projected to attend. The event will involve business leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, policy makers, academicians, innovators, as well as other sustainability-oriented organizations.

An international exhibition will involve 125+ national and international exhibitors, presenting practical circular economy applications, innovations and technologies that can be invested in.

The schedule of events for September 15-16 includes four plenary sessions and 16 parallel sessions on topics including artificial intelligence, employment, energy production, finance, governance, sustainable products, industrial applications, start-ups and youth leadership.

Partnerships for Circularity in the World

WCEF 2026 is a joint initiative between CPCB, Sitra – the Finnish Innovation Fund, Government of Finland, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of Gujarat and Gujarat Pollution Control Board.

Along with the WCEF 2026, a face-to-face meeting of the Board of the 10 Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (10 YFP) will be organized in Gandhinagar on 15 September.

India has recently been taking up the responsibility of the Co-Chair of the 10 YFP Board.

Accelerator Sessions in the Order of 80 Around the World

The event will keep going after the main forum is over. From September 17 to 18, international partners will organize some 80 accelerator sessions, both offline and online, in Gandhinagar and other cities around the world.

The closing ceremony will also feature the official handing-over of the reins to the next host country.