Session
Organizer 1: Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Organizer 2: Civil Society, African Group
Organizer 3: Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Organizer 4: Technical Community, African Group
Organizer 5: Technical Community, African Group
Organizer 2: Civil Society, African Group
Organizer 3: Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Organizer 4: Technical Community, African Group
Organizer 5: Technical Community, African Group
Speaker 1: Thelma QUAYE, Intergovernmental Organization, African Group
Speaker 2: Yee Man Ko , Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 3: Thomas Olsen Aarheim, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 4: Emmanuel Niyikora, Technical Community, African Group
Speaker 5: Dina Santana Santos, Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 2: Yee Man Ko , Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 3: Thomas Olsen Aarheim, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 4: Emmanuel Niyikora, Technical Community, African Group
Speaker 5: Dina Santana Santos, Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Format
Classroom
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: This format allows for focused engagement. Speakers will present key insights while participants actively learn and ask questions. Since this session aims to equip policymakers and stakeholders with actionable tools and recommendations, a classroom setting creates a more immersive and knowledge-driven discussion. The 60-minute duration is optimal. It will allow us to explore regulatory frameworks and best practices in depth and allow for meaningful interaction and Q&A. A longer session might reduce engagement, while a shorter one could limit discussion of best practices and policy implementation.
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: This format allows for focused engagement. Speakers will present key insights while participants actively learn and ask questions. Since this session aims to equip policymakers and stakeholders with actionable tools and recommendations, a classroom setting creates a more immersive and knowledge-driven discussion. The 60-minute duration is optimal. It will allow us to explore regulatory frameworks and best practices in depth and allow for meaningful interaction and Q&A. A longer session might reduce engagement, while a shorter one could limit discussion of best practices and policy implementation.
Policy Question(s)
How can governments and regulatory bodies strengthen digital policies, such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the right to repair, to ensure sustainable e-waste management?
What role should technology companies and manufacturers play in reducing e-waste, and how can digital policies incentivize sustainable design, recycling, and reuse?
How can multistakeholder collaboration drive effective implementation of circular economy principles in digital technology production and disposal?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants will leave this session with a deeper understanding of how digital policies shape sustainable e-waste management solutions and why frameworks like Extended Producer Responsibility and the right to repair are critical. Through expert insights and real-world case studies, they will gain practical knowledge of policy-driven solutions, industry best practices, and grassroots initiatives that promote circular economy principles.
They will gain insights into global and regional policy frameworks, industry best practices, and innovative approaches to e-waste reduction, including design-for-recyclability strategies, sustainable business models, and regulatory mechanisms that hold the different actors accountable.
The session will provide actionable tools and recommendations to help policymakers, businesses, and civil society integrate responsible e-waste management into their strategies, and advocate for stronger digital policies within their organizations and communities, empowering them to contribute to a more sustainable digital ecosystem.
SDGs
3. Good Health and Well-Being
3.9
3.d
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
7.1
7.3
7.a
7.b
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
9.1
9.4
9.a
9.b
9.c
12. Responsible Production and Consumption
12.2
12.4
12.5
12.6
12.7
12.8
13. Climate Action
15. Life on Land
15.1
15.3
15.5
15.b
17. Partnerships for the Goals
17.16
17.17
17.18
17.19
17.6
17.7
17.9
3.9
3.d
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
7.1
7.3
7.a
7.b
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
9.1
9.4
9.a
9.b
9.c
12. Responsible Production and Consumption
12.2
12.4
12.5
12.6
12.7
12.8
13. Climate Action
15. Life on Land
15.1
15.3
15.5
15.b
17. Partnerships for the Goals
17.16
17.17
17.18
17.19
17.6
17.7
17.9
Description:
As digital transformation accelerates, electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) is growing at an unprecedented rate. Without effective policies in place, e-waste poses serious environmental and health risks, particularly in developing countries. This session, under the subtheme of Building Sustainable and Responsible Innovation, will explore how robust regulatory frameworks, such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principle, the right to repair, and circular economy approaches, can support sustainable e-waste management. Through an interactive panel discussion, experts from policymaking, industry, and civil society will showcase best practices, innovative approaches, and successful case studies from diverse regions. The discussion will highlight strategies for holding different actors accountable, strategies for designing for recyclability and empowering consumers to adopt sustainable behaviours. During this session, we shall discuss the urgency of e-waste management and its policy implications. We will also explore different global frameworks, such as ITU’s EPR principle and the EcoInternet Index, as well as different national legislations promoting sustainable e-waste management within states. We shall also explore the role of different actors, including policymakers, ICT device producers, the civil society and the individual users in fostering sustainability. Our distinguished speakers will share best practices from diverse regions on how digital innovation can support e-waste reduction and circular economy principles, and their real-world impacts. This session aims to raise awareness of digital policies that address e-waste challenges, to highlight best practices with proven impact, to foster collaboration among policymakers, industry, and civil society, and to provide concrete recommendations for sustainable e-waste governance.
As digital transformation accelerates, electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) is growing at an unprecedented rate. Without effective policies in place, e-waste poses serious environmental and health risks, particularly in developing countries. This session, under the subtheme of Building Sustainable and Responsible Innovation, will explore how robust regulatory frameworks, such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principle, the right to repair, and circular economy approaches, can support sustainable e-waste management. Through an interactive panel discussion, experts from policymaking, industry, and civil society will showcase best practices, innovative approaches, and successful case studies from diverse regions. The discussion will highlight strategies for holding different actors accountable, strategies for designing for recyclability and empowering consumers to adopt sustainable behaviours. During this session, we shall discuss the urgency of e-waste management and its policy implications. We will also explore different global frameworks, such as ITU’s EPR principle and the EcoInternet Index, as well as different national legislations promoting sustainable e-waste management within states. We shall also explore the role of different actors, including policymakers, ICT device producers, the civil society and the individual users in fostering sustainability. Our distinguished speakers will share best practices from diverse regions on how digital innovation can support e-waste reduction and circular economy principles, and their real-world impacts. This session aims to raise awareness of digital policies that address e-waste challenges, to highlight best practices with proven impact, to foster collaboration among policymakers, industry, and civil society, and to provide concrete recommendations for sustainable e-waste governance.
Expected Outcomes
This session aims to drive policy discussions on integrating sustainable e-waste management into digital governance frameworks. Participants will gain insights into policy mechanisms such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), right to repair, and circular economy principles, with a focus on implementation across different regions.
The session will result in:
- Policy recommendations for governments and regulatory bodies on strengthening digital policies for e-waste management.
- Best practice insights from industry and civil society to encourage sustainable design, recycling, and reuse in the digital sector.
- Collaboration opportunities among stakeholders for follow-up initiatives, capacity-building workshops, or regional policy dialogues.
Hybrid Format: This session will feature two moderators, one online and one onsite, along with four speakers: three onsite and one online. We will alternate between in-person and online speakers, guaranteeing equal chances for participation and interaction.
The moderator will begin the session with a brief icebreaker in order to get everyone's attention and warm up the audience. The online moderator will ensure virtual participation to facilitate a fair dialogue, promoting clear and focused remarks or concerns.
We will use dynamic presentations prepared in advance and online tools to increase engagement and participation during the session. This includes real-time polls using Mentimeter, Q&A activities, and a shared Google Doc to capture insights and comments that may not be addressed due to time constraints. The link to the presentation documents shared by the speakers will be provided to the audience and included in the session report for future reference.