ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network of more than 2500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development and is active in 125+ countries. ICLEI Europe supports local governments across Europe, the Middle East and West Asia in their transition to climate neutrality and more resilient and equitable communities.

Simon Gresset is Senior Expert on the circular economy at ICLEI Europe. With extensive experience spanning local government and his current work at ICLEI Europe, Simon brings deep expertise in embedding circularity into urban systems. Through European projects or initiatives like the Circular Cities Declaration, Simon creates connections between cities, advises and supports implementation efforts, and highlights the crucial role that cities play in driving the circular transition. He also coordinates advocacy activities on the circular economy, through the informal Circular Cities Frontrunner group, and represents ICLEI Europe in key EU initiatives like the CCRI.

Recycling Europe is the leading voice for a competitive European recycling industry, enabling the circular economy and preserving resources for future generations.

Julia Ettinger joined Recycling Europe in December 2018. She is a fully qualified lawyer in Germany and holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from George Mason University in Virginia. During her time in the United States, she interned with the World Bank’s Legal Vice Presidency in Washington, D.C. She also worked at a Brussels-based consultancy advising multinational companies on environmental, health and safety (EHS) matters. At Recycling Europe, Julia focuses on regulatory, policy and legal issues of importance to the recycling industry. She has served as Secretary General since April 2024.

The Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production (CSCP) is an international nonprofit Think and Do tank that works with businesses, policy makers, partner organisations and civil society to deliver a good life.

Michael Kuhndt is the Founder and Executive Director of the CSCP, with more than 20 years' experience of international cooperation, development and sustainability. He has managed programmes for many multinational companies, ministries, European and UN organisations in the fields of: strategy development for sustainable supply chains and circular economy, development/set-up of a sustainable consumption approach, upscaling of sustainable business models, triple bottom line innovation, sustainable finance and policy strategies based on multiple stakeholders.

The European Bureau for Conservation and Development (EBCD) is an NGO founded in 1989 and based in Brussels. EBCD supports science-based solutions, full stakeholder participation, due consideration for the socio-economic aspects and respect for cultural diversity, while specialising in maritime affairs, fisheries, aquaculture and oceans governance. EBCD promotes the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, both in Europe and worldwide. It provides the secretariats of the MEP Group on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, the IUCN Fisheries Expert Group and the Market Advisory Council of the Common Fisheries Policy. EBCD has been an active member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since it was established, falling under the international environmental NGO category.

Ilias joined EBCD in March 2018, and currently manages the MEP Group on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, while also serving as Deputy Director at EBCD. Prior to that, he worked in EU Affairs and Communication for a pharmaceutical association in Brussels and as a Communications Executive in Greece. Well-experienced in developing and executing strategic advocacy & outreach, Ilias also holds an MSc in Crisis and Security Management from Leiden University in the Netherlands, and a BA in International & EU Affairs from University of Macedonia, Greece. 

Throughout the years, he has received The Good Lobby 3rd place Award as ‘Political Representative of the Year’ (2019), CV Magazine ‘Best Environmental NGO in Belgium’ Award (2019), The Webby Awards ‘People’s Voice Award for Green Website’ (2017), and the International Public Relations Association Golden World Award for ‘Crisis Management’ (2016).

The EEB is the largest network of environmental citizens’ organisations in Europe. It currently consists of over 190 member organisations in 41 countries, including a growing number of networks, and represents some 30 million individual members and supporters.

At the EEB, Eva Bille leads the Circular Economy team, which is active in cross-cutting policy areas which influence the transition towards a truly circular economy. 

The European Remanufacturing Council is based in Brussels and represents multiple business sectors and trade associations that extend the life of products through remanufacture and refurbishment. A steering group made up of five member organisations advises on the annual work programme as they aim to increase sales of remanufactured products in Europe.

David Fitzsimons became Director of the European Remanufacturing Council in January 2017. He is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chain group. He is also a member of the United Nations Environment Programme on Product Life Extension. He has welcomed the latest version of circular economy metrics for business from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, which starts to account for the CO₂ savings from remanufacturing and refurbishment processes. He participates in the World Steel Association working group on remanufacturing; the WSA was the first materials organisation to acknowledge the sustainability benefits of using durable materials in products designed for extended life cycles. Wherever possible, David promotes the work done by Professor Nabil Nasr in the USA to develop the evidence base for Value Retention Processes, including remanufacturing.

IndustriALL Global Union represents 50 million workers in 130 countries in the mining, energy and manufacturing sectors and is a force in global solidarity taking up the fight for better working conditions and trade union rights around the world.

Aske is a leader and engineer within the field of the circular economy, with a focus on waste management. He combines deep technical knowledge with experience from boards of large companies and public affairs work. With a background in the public sector, NGOs and private companies, Aske spans the multiple perspectives of the many actors in a circular economy.