On 2-3 July 2026, Astana hosted the 10th Eurasian Business Forum on Green Energy and Waste Recycling (GEWR). The forum is one of the region’s leading platforms for discussing priorities in waste management, recycling infrastructure development, deployment of innovative technologies, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, standardization, ESG approaches, and the transition towards a circular economy.
As part of GEWR, the regional programme ‘Green Central Asia, phase II’ supported the 3rd Regional E-Waste Forum: ‘Circular Electronics in Central Asia: Accelerating the Transition’
The forum brought together representatives of relevant ministries from Central Asian countries, international and regional organizations, academia, civil society, and the private sector to discuss the future of e-waste management in the region.
Participants exchanged views on the current state of e-waste management systems across Central Asia, including the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, and examined the key institutional, regulatory, and market barriers hindering effective e-waste management.
The discussions also focused on strengthening key components of national e-waste management systems, including collection and recycling infrastructure, data and statistical reporting, monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, and the further development of EPR schemes. In addition, participants explored international initiatives and best practices that could be adapted to the Central Asian context, identified priority needs for regulatory, institutional, and technical support, and discussed concrete actions that could accelerate the transition towards a circular economy in the electronics sector at both the national and regional levels.
The session was moderated by Dr. Caroline Milow, Programme Manager of the regional programme ‘Green Central Asia, phase II’, implemented by GIZ .
For information: According to UNITAR, the world generated a record 62 million tonnes of electronic waste in 2022, representing an 82% increase compared to 2010. By 2030, this figure is projected to grow by another 32%, reaching 82 million tonnes. Experts also emphasize that increasing global e-waste collection and recycling rates to 60% by 2030 would generate benefits exceeding USD 38 billion, including significant gains from reducing risks to human health and the environment.
