Excellencies,
Distinguished participants,
I am honoured on behalf of Ant¨®nio Guterres, Secretary-General of United Nations, to address this important gathering.
I commend Cradle to Cradle for its 9th Congress, championing the circular economy and advancing sustainable solutions.
As we witnessed, our planet is struggling with the increasingly severe impacts of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. Unsustainable activities, including overexploitation and natural resource depletion, are pushing our ecosystems to the brink.
Addressing these challenges demands bold, systemic change -- that will tackle root causes and drive transformative action.
The circular economy, now recognized in the United Nations, offers a transformative tool that provides solutions to pressing sustainable development challenges.
This regenerative model eliminates waste, keeps materials in circulation, and restores ecosystems, directly supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in a holistic manner.
Crucially, a circular economy creates jobs in recycling and remanufacturing, benefitting vulnerable communities where formal employment is scarce.
Therefore, transitioning from the traditional linear ¡°take, make, dispose¡± model to a circular economy is essential. This is a powerful catalyst in advancing progress towards the 2030 Agenda.
However, to leverage its potential, this requires integrated actions across all sectors:
- First, businesses must evaluate their value chains and embed circularity into every stage from design to production. This calls for a firm commitment to drive sustainable change across their ecosystems.
- Second, policymakers must reform incentives, facilitate access to financing, and create supportive regulatory frameworks for higher resource productivity while ensuring a just and inclusive transition.
- Third, investments in training, workforce development, and social protection systems are essential to ensure that no one is left behind during this transition.
- Fourth, stakeholders like Cradle to Cradle play a crucial role in advocating for this transition by mobilizing action and holding businesses and governments accountable.
In this regard, I urge you to engage actively in upcoming global conferences like the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development and the Second World Summit for Social Development. These platforms provide unique opportunities to champion the circular economy on a global stage.
Excellencies,
Dear Colleagues,
Germany, a leader in circular economy principles, exemplifies how circular approaches can drive economic growth while safeguarding the environment. Germany has the highest Municipal Waste Recycling Rates within the EU.
Through progressive waste management policies and investments in sustainable technologies, Germany demonstrates the viability of innovative circular models.
I call upon the German Government and private sector leaders to further demonstrate leadership in this space. By leveraging expertise and sharing best practices, you can inspire global adoption of circular economies. This will drive sustainable progress and deliver tangible benefits for all people and the planet.
Thank you!