Participation of the Chairholder in High-Level Panel on Circular Economy at the Circular GAIA Conference

Our Chairholder, participated in the high-level panel discussion “Circular Economy: National, EU and International Framework” during the Circular GAIA Conference held at Zappeion Megaron, Athens. The event was organized by the European Public Law Organization (EPLO) and brought together leading policymakers, experts, and institutional representatives shaping the transition to a circular and climate-neutral economy.

The panel featured distinguished speakers, including Uroš Vajgl, State Secretary of the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy of Slovenia; Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea, Director at the Directorate-General for Environment of the European Commission; Konstantinos Zervas, Head of KEDE’s Delegation to CEMR and former Mayor of Thessaloniki; Ermis Panagiotopoulos, Head of Sustainability Advocacy EMEA at Indorama Ventures; and George Kremlis, Ambassador of EPLO to Bulgaria and Director of EPLO’s Circular Economy and Climate Institute.

The discussion focused on policy frameworks at national, European, and international level, highlighting the role of the European Green Deal and global cooperation in accelerating the shift to a more regenerative economic model.

During the intervention of the UNESCO Chairholder, emphasis was placed on the key regulatory enablers required to achieve Europe’s recycling and landfill diversion targets. These include the implementation of Pay-As-You-Throw schemes, the strengthening of Extended Producer Responsibility systems, the establishment of clear and harmonized End-of-Waste criteria, and the need for robust monitoring mechanisms to ensure the effective application of the Polluter Pays Principle