Welcome to the United Nations
Language:
  1. Home
  2. [2025] Waste Management and Circular Economy Study Tour

[2025] Waste Management and Circular Economy Study Tour

Tuesday, 29 July 2025 - 9:00am to Friday, 01 August 2025 - 5:00pm

Documents

Concept Note (updated as of 29 July 2025)

 

Background

Countries across Africa are facing growing challenges in managing increasing volumes of waste, improving service delivery, and transitioning to circular economy models that support sustainable development. Through recent scoping missions to Madagascar (May 2024), Ghana (August 2024), and Comoros (March 2025), and ongoing engagement with Morocco, key national stakeholders have identified the urgent need to strengthen institutional capacities, improve policy frameworks, and adopt practical approaches to waste prevention, resource recovery, and circularity. These needs have been consistently echoed during technical consultations and reinforced by each country’s commitment to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In response, the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD) is organising a study tour to provide targeted knowledge exchange on waste management and the circular economy, with a particular focus on the Korean experience. The Republic of Korea has experienced a remarkable transformation from a low-income country in the post war period, developing essential basic services and resource circularity in the process of innovation, and stakeholder engagement. Since the enactment of the Wastes Control Act in 1986 and the introduction of the Volume-Based Waste Fee System in 1995, the Republic of Korea has actively pursued the systematization and modernization of waste management. The government has mandated the separation and recycling of waste and has continuously strengthened policies aimed at fundamentally reducing waste generation by applying the polluter pays principle. The study tour will equip participants with both theoretical understanding and practical exposure through a mix of classroom-based learning and structured field visits. The aim is to build the technical and policy capacities of participating officials, enabling them to translate these insights into national strategies and action plans.

This initiative builds on UNOSD’s ongoing policy advisory services with Ghana, Madagascar, Morocco, and Comoros, which support the development and implementation of coherent, SDG-aligned waste management strategies. Both Ghana and Madagascar have been identified as regional hub countries under the Waste Management and Circular Economy Policy Support System (WMPSS), serving as anchors for knowledge sharing and cooperation across West and East Africa respectively. 

 

Objectives

The objective of the study tour is to enhance the capacity of waste management experts by providing practical and theoretical training on effective and sustainable waste management practices, based on the Republic of Korea’s development pathway. Participants will gain exposure to Korea’s advanced waste management systems through a combination of classroom-based training and structured field visits. In particular, they will visit a wide range of facilities that cover the entire waste management process from waste generation and separation, to recycling, incineration, and final disposal through landfilling. This experience will offer first-hand insights into innovative practices that could inform the improvement of waste management infrastructure and policies in the respective countries. The final day of the tour will focus on consolidating lessons learned, facilitating in-depth discussions, and planning the next steps for practical and context specific application.

 

Target Audience

The study tour will primarily involve national delegations from selected United Nations Member States from Africa eligible for policy support from UNOSD. Each delegation will include a high-level representative alongside a mix of policy lead and technical-level staff working in the field of waste management. In addition, one minister from each participating country will be kindly invited to engage in high-level bilateral discussions with the Government of the Republic of Korea, to explore ongoing and future areas of partnership with UNOSD-DESA, and to participate in elements of the study tour.

 

Engagement Expectations

To ensure meaningful engagement throughout the study tour, participating countries will be asked to complete the Waste Management and Circular Economy Policy Support System (WMPSS) onboarding and questionnaire or, for those who have already used the system, to review and refresh any data previously inputted. Further details will be provided to the confirmed participants.

In addition, it is expected Member State delegations prepare short presentations highlighting key progress and ongoing challenges in the waste management sector. Active participation across all sessions will be important in fostering peer learning and strengthening cooperation and exchange among countries.

 

Programme and Agenda

Day 1 (29 July)

Opening and Ministerial Remarks

  • Mr. Chun Kyoo Park, Head of Office, UNOSD
  • H.E. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ghana
  • H.E. Souef Kamalidini, Advisor to the President, Comoros

 

Introduction to the Study Tour

Moderator: Ms. Youngah Kim, Associate Research and Policy Development Expert, UNOSD

  • Why We Are Here: Context and Study Tour Vision - Ms. Youngah Kim, Associate Research and Policy Development Expert, UNOSD
  • Introduction to the Waste Management and Circular Economy Policy Support System (WMPSS) - Ms. Sara Castro-Hallgren, Sustainable Development Officer, UNOSD

 

Session I: Foundational concepts in waste management and resource circularity and lessons learned in Korea since the 1980s

Moderator: Ms. Sara Castro-Hallgren, Sustainable Development Officer, UNOSD

  • Overview of Waste Management in the Republic of Korea - Mr. Chun Kyoo Park, Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)

 

Session II: Country Presentations

  • Ghana - Mr. Godfred Fiifi Boadi, Head of the Solid Waste Management Unit, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs
  • Madagascar - Mr. Rivosoa Rabenandrianina, Director General of Sustainable Development, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development
  • Comoros - Mr. Nayim Said Abdallah, Deputy Executive Director, Comoros Waste Management Agency
  • Morocco - Ms. Bouchra Fari, the Head of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development

 

Field Trip to Korea Environment Corporation (K-eco)

  • Introduction of K-eco
  • The Korean EPR Model
  • Introduction of Allbaro System

 

Field Trip to Sudokwon Landfill Site

 

Day 2 (30 July)  

Field Trip to Incheon Environment Corporation (Songdo Branch)

  • A key environmental facility responsible for waste management and resource circulation in Incheon. Participants will tour the incineration facility, community facilities, and recycling sorting facilities.

 

Field Trip to Samyang Ecotech - Siwha Plant

  • A specialized PET recycling facility which transforms collected PET waste into high quality raw materials for reuse.

 

Field Trip to Incheon Recycling

  • Incheon recycling specializes in the sorting and compression of recyclable materials, especially paper and plastic.

 

Day 3 (31 July)  

Field Trip to Hanam Union Park

  • A multi-purpose environmental and recreational complex that combines underground waste and sewage treatment facilities with resident-friendly amenities.

 

Field Trip to Mapo Resource Recovery Facility

  • A key environmental facility responsible for waste management and resource circulation in Seoul.

 

Field Trip to Haneul Park (Nanjido)

 

Day 4 (1 August)   

A facility converts organic waste into renewable energy through anaerobic digestion and combustion. It contributes to sustainable waste management and energy recovery for the local community.

  • A key environmental facility responsible for waste management and resource circulation in Seoul.

 

Session III: Best practices of waste management skills in Republic of Korea

Moderator: Ms. Sara Castro-Hallgren, Sustainable Development Officer, UNOSD

  • Landfill gas - Woo-weon Lee, the representative of the SSKK Solution Co., LTD
  • Landfill management - Shin-hyun Kang, the representative of The Hammsolz Co., LTD
  • Waste Management and Resource Circulation - Soo-on Kwak, the representative of Korea Incinerator Company

 

Session IV: Country reflections and adaptation dialogue

Moderator: Ms. Sara Castro-Hallgren, Sustainable Development Officer, UNOSD

 

Closing Session

  • Mr. Chun Kyoo Park, Head of Office, UNOSD
  • H.E. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ghana
  • H.E. Souef Kamalidini, Advisor to the President, Comoros

 

Code of Conduct

The organizations of the United Nations system are committed to enabling events at which everyone can participate in an inclusive, respectful and safe environment.

UN system events are guided by the highest ethical and professional standards, and all participants are expected to behave with integrity and respect towards all participants attending or involved with any UN system event: https://www.un.org/en/content/codeofconduct/