The 6th Annual Conference for the SWITCH-Asia Programme, funded by the European Union (EU), took place 20-21 May in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Organised by the SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component, implemented by GOPA Worldwide Consultants and NIRAS International Consulting, our team of experts guided participants through the conference and facilitated engaging discussions and workshops about further advancing circular economy and sustainable consumption and production (SCP).

The Policy Support Component operates in 42 countries, spanning from the Middle East to Central Asia, South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, supporting countries in adopting sustainable production and consumption patterns in line with Paris Agreement commitments, SDGs, EU Green Deal and Global Gateway strategies. The SWITCH-Asia Grants Programme (managed directly by DG INTPA) funds pilot projects helping companies to apply cleaner technologies and more sustainable industrial practices, as well as helping consumers to act more responsibly in their daily choices and lifestyle.

The conference brought together 100 experts, representatives from Asian governments, EU delegations, SMEs, NGOs, and development partners to discuss Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) and Circular Economy practices. Key sessions and exchanges included:

• Circular Economy and Plastics
• Green Public Procurement (GPP)
• SCP-linked Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC)
• Circularity in Tourism with a focus on food
• Circular Economy in the Building and Construction Sector
• Circular Economy Knowledge Hubs and Stakeholder Engagement
• Financing and Market Transformation for SCP, Circular Economy, and Climate Resilience

We extend our gratitude to all participants for their active contributions in making the event a resounding success!