WCEF2025 summary is ready—see what you may have missed!
The ninth World Circular Economy Forum 2025 gathered thousands of people from 160 countries from 13 to 16 May 2025 in São Paulo, Brazil and online. Read our analysis of the discussions and advancements made.
Author
Tuula Sjöstedt
In May, the ninth World Circular Economy Forum filled Ibirapuera park in Brazil. What an amazing circular celebration it was! We had 1,206 participants in São Paulo and 639 people following the forum in seven studios around the world. With more than 16,500 online views for the main forum sessions and more than 8,600 participants in the accelerator sessions, the forum reached new audiences, especially in Latin America and the Caribbean.
While it was frustrating to hear that the global circularity rate has continued to decline, we saw an encouraging number of hot circular solutions that aim to reverse this trend. The forum stressed the importance of cutting the use of virgin raw materials, supporting the energy transition and shifting to sustainable business models in industries.
“We need the circular economy.” This strong message will be taken from the forum by the COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago to the UN climate negotiations in Belém, Brazil later this year. And with the newly launched National Circular Economy Plan, Brazil is systematically taking circularity forward.
We need the circular economy.
André Corrêa do Lago
Circularity requires us to rethink everything. But in the end, it’s not just about knowledge, policies, business models, financing or trade systems. We need everyone on board, as it all comes down to people: People who are passionate about making a difference and building a sustainable circular future. People who are willing to learn and to evolve.
At the forum, we witnessed powerful speeches, change-provoking discussions and enthusiastic encounters. Thank you to each participant—you are the true engine of change!
Enjoy the forum recap video (above or on Youtube) and summary and stay tuned to hear more about next year’s forum in India!
The World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF)
The World Circular Economy Forum brings together business leaders, policymakers, experts, civil society, and others to explore the world’s best circular economy solutions. It examines how to accelerate the circular transition while pursuing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The WCEF is a global initiative of Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund.
WCEF2025 was organised jointly by the Federation of the Industries of the State of São Paulo (FIESP), the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI), Brazilian National Industrial Learning Service (SENAI), SENAI São Paulo and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, in collaboration with a wide network of international partners.
