India to Host World Circular Economy Forum 2026 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from September 15 to 18

Key facts

• India will host the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from September 15 to 18, marking the first time the global forum is held in South Asia.
• The forum, themed 'Circular Economy: Transition for People and Prosperity', will be jointly inaugurated on September 15 by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel.
• WCEF 2026 is jointly organised by the Central Pollution Control Board, the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, the Government of Finland, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Government of Gujarat and the Gujarat Pollution Control Board.
• The forum is expected to bring together more than 2,000 stakeholders from over 65 countries, including business leaders, policymakers, researchers and innovators.
• On September 15 and 16, the forum will feature four plenary sessions and 16 parallel thematic sessions covering areas such as artificial intelligence, finance, governance and start-up ecosystems.
• An exhibition with more than 125 national and international exhibitors will showcase circular solutions and investment-ready innovations.
• The Board of the 10 Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (10 YFP) will hold an in-person meeting in Gandhinagar on September 15.