Annual Activity Report 2023 - Fostering the Circular Economy

The report highlights milestones and achievements performed in 2023 by the ECESP under the stewardship of its Coordination Group.

While the world continued to adapt to the post COVID-19 pandemic with major disruptions in the global supply chains - shedding harsh light on our resources dependencies - the year also saw a new conflict erupt in the Middle East and Ukraine entering the second year of war. This global context could only make it more obvious why resilience and strategic autonomy should be built into our economies and how circularity is pivotal in managing resources.

In 2023, the ECESP leadership groups played a crucial role as they focused on the topics identified by CG members. The EESC, represented by three members, and the European Commission, through DG ENV and DG RTD, have worked closely with them to keep the momentum going with the #EUCircularTalks.

Internationalisation began in 2022 with the Dubai Expo and continues to export the Platform's model and know-how beyond EU borders. In June 2023, the EU-ASEAN Partnership on Circular Economy launched the ASEAN Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform taking ECESP as a model. In December, Japan's G7 presidency invited the Platform to take part in the Joint Workshop on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency Principles (CEREP). This opportunity shows the Platform's valuable expertise on the circular economy.

ECESP is a success story since its onset in 2017. At the end of2023, its Coordination Group members clearly expressed the ambition to demonstrate its crucial role in fostering the circular economy and position itself as an essential partner in its implementation.