The theme of this seminar was "Zero-waste City Construction: A Sustainable Action to Beat Waste Pollution," chaired by Professor Li Jinhui, the Executive Director of BCRC China, with opening remarks by Rolph Payet, the Executive Secretary of the BRS Secretariat. The seminar invited representatives from eight cities across four regions to share their experiences in "Zero-Waste City" construction, including Palmerston North in New Zealand, West Torrens and Hobart in Australia, Itajaí in Brazil, Zahlé in Lebanon, and Hangzhou, Shenzhen, and Sanya in China. The seminar was registered on the UNEP official website as part of a series of celebratory events co-organized by UNEP. It attracted more than 80 participants.

At the seminar, Shan guijuan, Deputy Director of the Research Institute of Zero-waste City Construction, BCRC China, introduced the background, progress, and framework of the International Zero-waste City Network, as well as its scope of work. Teng Jingjie, Chief of Policy Research Office, Solid Waste and Chemicals Management Center, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, introduced the overall progress of "Zero-waste City" construction in China. Luo Rongqiang, Deputy Director of Hangzhou Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau, Yang Xin, Deputy Director of Sanya Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau, and Lin Weiqiang, Chief of Department of Solid Waste and Chemicals, Shenzhen Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau, respectively represented Hangzhou, Sanya, and Shenzhen in introducing the advanced experiences of "Zero-waste City" construction in China.

This seminar facilitated the exchange of experiences and successful cases of "Zero-waste City" practices among cities from different global regions. It strengthened the international promotion of China's "Zero-waste City" construction experience and enhanced participants' understanding of the concept of "Zero-waste City" and its importance in promoting sustainable urban development. More...