On July 6, 2026, the First General Assembly of the International Zero-waste City Network, hosted by BCRC China, was successfully convened in a hybrid format, in conjunction with the 21st International Conference on Solid Waste Management and Technology (ICWMT 21). The general assembly drew active participation from a broad spectrum of stakeholders worldwide, with 46 on-site attendees representing 20 countries, in addition to over 80 virtual participants.

The meeting featured four sessions, including International Innovative Solutions for Zero waste Cities, Advancing the International Zero waste City Network, Sharing of Zero waste City Construction Practices, and a Round table Discussion. The meeting commenced with opening remarks by Professor Li Jinhui, Tenured Professor at the School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Co-Chair of ICWMT, and Executive Director of BCRC China. Professor Li underscored that the construction of “Zero-waste City” calls for global synergy and sustained commitment. BCRC China will continue to fulfil its role as the Secretariat, deepen collaboration with UN agencies and partners from various countries, and build a more pragmatic exchange platform for member cities.

Figure 1. Professor Li Jinhui delivering opening remarks (left) and On-site attendees (right).

The session on "Innovative Solutions for International Zero-waste Cities" was moderated by Mr. Dong Qingyin, Associate Professor, Chief of Regional waste management branch, BCRC China. Subsequently, Mr. Takehiro Nakamura, Head of International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC), UNEP, systematically elaborated on the Zero Waste Initiatives: principles and approaches. And Ms. Cecilia Andersson, Head of Programme on Public Space, Urban Planning and Design Branch of UN-Habitat, delivered an online presentation entitled "From Waste to Resource: Zero Waste City by Design." Dr. Zhang Nini, Working Group on Technical Support for Solid Waste Management, Department of Solid Waste and Chemicals, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China, then presented the progress and achievements of China's Zero-waste City construction. Ms. Sule Bektas, Director of Planning and Project Implementations Division, Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of Türkiye, shared Türkiye Zero-waste practices. Mr. Dong Qingyin systematically introduced the Progress and Achievements of the International Zero-waste City Network. Finally, Ms. Rima Saade, General Coordinator of Zero-waste City Initiative & BCRC Egypt, shared the role of BCRC Egypt in achievements, partnerships, and future pathways.

Figure 2. First row left: Mr. Dong Qingyin moderating the session; first row right: online participants; second row left: Mr. Takehiro Nakamura; second row right: Ms. Cecilia Andersson (online); third row left: Dr. Zhang Nini ; third row right: Ms. Sule Bektas (online); fourth row left: Mr. Dong Qingyin; fourth row right: Ms. Rima Saade

During this session, BCRC China also released the “Typical Cases for Zero-waste City Construction in China (2025)”. The English version is available for download at https://www.bcrc.cn/en/atm/7/20260630102722940.pdf. This compilation features 25 typical cases with detailed descriptions of their implementation practices. Over 40 printed copies were distributed to the participants at the meeting. Associate Researcher Dong Qingyin also noted that BCRC China will continue to solicit and compile Zero-waste City construction cases from network members in the future, with the aim of further promoting the dissemination of best practices and facilitating experience-sharing among members.

Figure 3. Mr. Dong Qingyin releasing the Typical Cases for Zero-waste City Construction in China (2025).

The session on "Advancing the International Zero-waste City Network" was moderated by Mr. Takehiro Nakamura. During the session, the participating delegates discussed and adopted the revised version of the “Declaration on Promoting Zero-waste City Construction”, as well as the procedural documents for the General Meeting, among others. The Outstanding Contribution Awards (5 recipients) and the Annual Active Awards (5 recipients) of the International Zero-waste City Network were also presented during the session, in recognition of the positive contributions made by the co-initiating organizations and network members.

Figure 4. First row left: Mr. Takehiro Nakamura, chairing the document revision; first row right: on?site award ceremony; second row left: recipients of the Outstanding Contribution Award; second row right: recipients of the Annual Active Award.

The session on "Sharing of Zero-waste City Construction Practices" was moderated by Ms. Wang Lei, Programme Associate of IETC,UNEP. During the session, Mr. Mu Xiaodong, Deputy Director of the Sanya Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment (China); Mr. Ishwor Narayan Manandhar, Mayor of Bimeshwor Municipality (Nepal); Mr. Herath Mudiyanselage Lalith Tissa Kumara, Mayor of Polonnaruwa Municipal Council (Sri Lanka); Ms. Maria Touloupi, Head of the European Projects Department of Athienou Municipality (Cyprus); and Mr. Bhadra Aryal, Head of Environment Department, Chandragiri Municipality (Nepal), shared their experiences and insights on the development pathways, implementation practices, and tangible outcomes of zero-waste city construction in their respective cities.

Figure 5. First row left: Ms. Wang Lei moderating; first row right: Mr. Mu Xiaodong; second row left: Mr. Ishwor Narayan Manandhar; second row right: Mr. Herath Mudiyanselage Lalith Tissa Kumara; third row left: Ms. Maria Touloupi (online); third row right: Ms. Bhadra Aryal (online).

And the roundtable discussion session was moderated by Mr. Takehiro Nakamura. During this session, participating delegates engaged in in-depth discussions on topics including the Zero-waste Practices along the Belt and Road Countries, Joint Development of the International Zero-waste City Network, and the sharing of global experiences, thereby forging a broad consensus on cooperation in the field of circular governance of solid waste worldwide.

Figure 6. Mr. Takehiro Nakamura, Director of IETC, moderating (first row left); representatives from Vietnam, Turkey, Bangladesh, Thailand, Lebanon, Egypt and other countries sharing their views.

Figure 7. Group photo of on site participants.

The International Zero-waste City Network was launched by BCRC China in 2022. Since 2023, the network development has been included in the Ministry of Ecology and Environment's “Work Plan for Promoting Zero-waste City Construction” for three consecutive years. As of July 10, 2026, the Network comprises 108 members (including 9 co?sponsors) and 7 observers, covering 28 countries worldwide. It has successfully built a bridge for the exchange of zero?waste governance experiences among cities globally. Looking ahead, the Network will further expand its membership, continue to serve as a platform and link, and work jointly to advance the global zero?waste development process.