Inauguration of the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Jaipur

Jaipur, March 3 (NationPress) The 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific kicked off on Monday in Jaipur, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi sending a special message to the forum attendees, underscoring India’s dedication to the P-3 (Pro Planet People) framework.

PM Modi also stressed the significance of the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and Circular Economy principles in fostering sustainable urban development and enhancing resource efficiency.

The Prime Minister reiterated India’s position as a global leader in sustainability efforts, including Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and the Panchamrit Goals unveiled at COP26, reaffirming the nation's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions.

The inaugural event saw the participation of Manohar Lal, Union Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs, and Bhajan Lal Sharma, Chief Minister of Rajasthan, among others.

In accordance with PM Modi’s vision, Manohar Lal introduced the Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3), a multinational initiative aimed at promoting city-to-city collaboration, knowledge sharing, and public-private partnerships.

He proposed the formation of a working group to structure and operationalize the coalition, marking it as a significant advancement in promoting circular economy principles worldwide.

Highlighting the necessity of sustainable practices, Manohar Lal stated, “The Circular Economy is not merely an environmental obligation but an economic imperative.”

He emphasized India’s tradition of sustainable living and the critical need to incorporate modern technology to boost resource efficiency.

Manohar Lal declared that the forum would embrace the Jaipur Declaration (2025-2034), a non-political, non-binding commitment that will steer the next decade's endeavors towards resource efficiency and sustainable urban expansion.

This declaration seeks to enhance collaboration among policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers to establish a low-carbon, resource-efficient future. As part of the forum, the 3R India Pavilion was launched by Manohar Lal and the Rajasthan Chief Minister.

This pavilion showcases the International 3R Trade and Technology Exhibition, featuring over 40 Indian and Japanese enterprises and start-ups leading the charge in innovative waste management and Circular Economy solutions. The Rajasthan Chief Minister emphasized the importance of the Circular Economy in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

He pointed out state-level initiatives, including the creation of an Environmental Management Cell (EMC) for efficient waste management and recycling.

He remarked that a circular economy is essential not just for today but also for our future, noting that issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution pose serious challenges for our planet, and that the Circular Economy offers the most effective strategy to tackle these issues.

He stated that this system encourages waste reuse and recycling, minimizes energy consumption, and promotes renewable energy. Highlighting the initiatives taken by the Rajasthan government, Sharma affirmed that his administration is taking a leading role in this mission.

An Environmental Management Cell (EMC) has been established to enhance the efficacy of waste management and recycling efforts. During the event, a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for CITIIS 2.0 was signed, marking a vital advancement in urban sustainability efforts. The Minister announced that agreements totaling Rs 1,800 crores would be signed under this initiative, benefiting 18 cities across 14 states.

These projects will serve as exemplars for integrated waste management and climate action. The 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum will continue over the upcoming days, featuring expert discussions, policy dialogues, and collaborative initiatives aimed at shaping the future of sustainable urban development.