The Asia Pacific Circular Economy Roundtable & Hotspot 2025 concluded successfully on October 23 at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park in Taipei, marking another milestone for regional collaboration. At the closing ceremony, an exciting announcement was made — the 2026 Asia Pacific Circular Economy Hotspot will be hosted by Sydney, Australia, in partnership with countries across Oceania to advance circular transformation throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Originating from Europe’s Circular Economy Hotspot initiative launched in the Netherlands in 2016, this global platform has since expanded to Africa and the Americas, showcasing real-world progress and international impact in circular economy transitions. As the first Asia-Pacific host, Taiwan successfully connected government, business, finance, academia, and social innovation, bringing the region’s circular dialogue onto the global stage and laying a strong foundation for long-term cooperation.
The selection of Sydney was made by a panel comprising representatives from previous host organizations — including Holland Circular Hotspot, ACEN Nigeria Chapter, Hochschule Ruhr West (Germany), the Taiwan Ministry of Environment, and the Circular Taiwan Network. The jury unanimously recognized Circular Australia, the University of New South Wales (UNSW), and Business Events Sydney for their strong expertise, global networks, and capacity to foster an inclusive and impactful circular collaboration across the region.
The jury also commended Sydney’s proposal for its clear and ambitious vision — to bridge Pacific Island nations and Asia, integrate circular economy and climate action, and jointly address regional challenges such as waste and pollution.
Lisa McLean, CEO of Circular Australia, remarked:
“We are deeply honored to host the Asia Pacific Circular Economy Hotspot in 2026 and are committed to building new connections and creating lasting circular impact. The thriving circular economy across the Asia-Pacific will help create a safer and more prosperous future for all nations — from Asia to Oceania.”
In 2026, alongside Sydney’s Asia-Pacific event, Budapest (Europe), Riyadh (Middle East), and Gaborone (Africa) will also host their respective regional Circular Economy Hotspots — demonstrating the shared vision of a truly global network dedicated to connecting circular initiatives and driving systemic transformation across industries, societies, and policies worldwide.
From Taiwan to the Asia-Pacific, the momentum for circular collaboration is already in motion.
Next stop — Sydney 2026. Let’s continue co-creating the next chapter of the circular economy together.
official press release：
- Sydney to Host the 2026 Asia Pacific Circular Economy Hotspot（Holland Circular Hotspot）