Each year, ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) organises the ASEAN Circular Economy Forum (ACEF). It is a platform for the ASEAN policy community to engage with stakeholders and explore ways to foster a more effective transition to a circular economy through national policies and regional initiatives.

ACEF 2025 will spotlight how circular economy solutions can drive inclusive development, reduce inequality and foster innovation across the region, under the banner Accelerate the circular economy transition in ASEAN with green skills, innovative solutions and investments. It will focus on three critical bottlenecks: addressing the need for a skilled and properly trained workforce with relevant green skills and knowledge, including both manual labourers and white-collar professionals; promoting, replicating and scaling innovative solutions; and directing financing towards impactful circular initiatives practices.

ACEF 2025 will take place on 16-17 October as the culmination of the ASEAN Circular Economy Week, which will kick off with a series of partner events from 14 to 15 October. 

The first day of ACEF 2025 will focus on:

• Circular economy state of play in ASEAN
• Resource use in ASEAN and the role of the circular economy in achieving the ASEAN Vision 2045
• New circular economy initiatives in ASEAN
• Green skills, innovative solutions and investments – Unlocking the potential of circular startups in ASEAN
• Closing the loop: Catalysing ASEAN circular transition through investment
• Reflections and pathways forward: Advancing ASEAN’s circular economy through innovation, industry and policy alignment

The second day will feature a half-day policy dialogue. The focus will be accelerating the circular economy in ASEAN, looking at priority areas for harmonised or joint action and enabling this acceleration through policy action, resource mobilisation and multi-stakeholder partnerships. It will highlight opportunities to be derived from ASEAN-EU partnerships.

Sitra will explore the global perspective: international momentum and future outlook, and the announcements about new circular economy initiatives in ASEAN will include the Danish Team Europe Initiative and the EU's SWITCH-Asia programme.

Registration is still open for online participation. Programme.