South Asian countries are working towards a regional circular economy framework and a 2026–2030 action roadmap, intended to address the region’s growing waste burden and open up business in recycling and reuse.

The proposed framework was discussed at the Regional Forum on Circular Economy in South Asia, held in Colombo on 19 and 20 October with business leaders, policymakers, environmental experts and other stakeholders taking part, the Daily Mirror reported at 4.29 p.m. on Tuesday.

The forum was co-convened by the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC-CCI) and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL), working with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) through its Centre Collaborating with UNEP on Environmental Technologies (IGES-CCET), and with HELP-O Sri Lanka.

The problem it is addressing

South Asia generated an estimated 346 million tonnes of municipal solid waste in 2022, a volume the forum’s concept paper projects will rise substantially by 2050.

Inadequate waste collection, limited segregation at source, open dumping and weak recycling markets remain major obstacles across the region.

Six sectors, three phases

The draft roadmap identifies six priority sectors: plastics, textiles, agriculture, electronic waste, construction and tourism.

Delegates reviewed a draft Regional Circular Economy Framework and considered a phased implementation plan running from 2026 to 2030:

Discussions covered how countries could strengthen cooperation, improve access to finance and technology, expand recycling markets, and help businesses adopt circular practices.

Context

Sri Lanka has been drawing on European funding in this area: an EU grant for plastic research at universities was announced in September, and eco-industrial park expertise from France earlier in the year. The regional framework described here is a separate, SAARC-level initiative.

Not reported

The report does not say which countries sent delegations, whether the framework has any binding force or is advisory only, what it would cost, or who would fund it. It does not say when the draft framework is expected to be adopted, what body would oversee implementation, or whether SAARC member governments — as distinct from the chambers of commerce that convened the forum — have endorsed it. The 2022 waste figure is attributed to the forum’s own concept paper rather than to an independent statistical source, and no breakdown by country was given.

No other verified newsroom had filed on the forum as of Wednesday morning.

Sources: South Asia moves towards regional circular economy roadmap — Daily Mirror, October 20.