[2024] Training Workshop on Accelerating Circularity and Resource Efficiency in Integrated Solid Waste Management at National and Urban Levels
Documents
Concept Note and Agenda (updated as of 24 January 2025)
Background
Nine years have passed since the international community agreed to take bold and transformative steps to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a plan of action to secure the rights and well-being of everyone on a healthy, thriving planet. Its implementation requires comprehensive actions at the global, regional and national levels, as indicated in General Assembly Resolution A/RES/70/1 on Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The long-term impacts of COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts and other inter-related shocks and longer-term threats including the triple planetary crisis (Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, and Pollution) have exacerbated already faltering progress.
Sustainable and resilient recovery relies on strengthening national to local level capacities to steer an accelerated transition that addresses the complex and interrelated challenges hindering local progress on the SDGs.
The Government of Morocco, represented by Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) represented by its Division for Sustainable Development (DSDG) and UN Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD) have been cooperating to strengthen the capacities of the national stakeholders in formulating and implementing sustainable and resilient recovery plans towards the SDGs. This included Morocco’s participation in the UNDESA facilitated e-learning course “Integrated Recovery Planning and Policy Coherence towards the SDGs” during 2021, training of trainers’ workshop during 2022 that strengthened capacity of national stakeholders of methodologies and approaches of integrated and sustainable recovery planning to be applied in building back better to achieve the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. In December 2023, the partners joined by Korea Environment Cooperation (K-Eco) organized a training Workshop in Tangier aiming at accelerating circularity and resource efficiency in integrated solid waste management at national and urban levels.
Follow up on the training workshop in Tangier
After the training in Tangier, the government of Morocco initiated follow-up steps with UNDESA, requesting continuation of the capacity building support by the partners to take Tangier's successful experience to 3 major regions and urban areas in the country, and support ongoing plans, strategies and activities in these cities in the field of circular economy and waste management:
- Agadir in Souss – Massa region
- M’dieq in Tétouan – Hoceima region
- Fes in Fes-Meknes region
Also, UNDESA conducted an independent evaluation of its activities under the workstream “Integrated, Green and Resilient Recovery and Transition towards the SDGs” in 6 Arab States in West Asia and Northa between 2020-2023 and noted that the Training Workshop in Tangier was highly relevant and responded effectively to national and urban priorities. It also recommended that the partners (UNDESA, Korean MOE, and Moroccan government) take the successful experience to more regions and urban centres in the country to support the follow up actions in three other Moroccan cities that plan to move in the direction of circular and green economy transition, with waste management as a pilot sector. The continuous discussions with the national and local government identified Agadir as the optimal host city for this workshop.
The host city (Agadir, Morocco)
Agadir has made significant strides in environmental protection and waste management through a combination of future and implemented projects. The city is undergoing a major transformation under the Urban Development Programme (PDU) launched in 2020, which is part of its broader strategy to become a sustainable and resilient metropolis. This program includes extensive efforts to improve urban infrastructure, expand green spaces, and enhance public areas, reflecting a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. One key initiative is the renovation and expansion of the city's green spaces, such as Ibn Zaydoun Garden, Al Inbiaat Garden, Olhao Garden, and the creation of new green areas like Anza Green Space and Tikouine Green Space.
In terms of waste management, Agadir has implemented the development of under-equipped neighbourhoods, which includes upgrading infrastructure to support better waste collection and disposal. As per Agadir’s 2023 Voluntary Local Review (VLR) plans are set in place to equip the city with modern irrigation systems that reduce water waste and utilize treated wastewater. Additionally, the city's Municipal Action Plan 2022-2027 emphasizes the importance of integrating modern waste management practices, such as the use of smart technology to monitor waste levels and optimize collection routes.
Target Audience
This training workshop in the host city of Agadir has a primary focus on strengthening national to local capacities for a circular economy and waste management. The target audience therefore includes national policymakers and sub-national authorities, city of Agadir Government, in addition to civil society organizations, development cooperation partners, and private sector entities (with particular focus on the manufacturing sector, the waste industry and other key sectors) engaged in the national formulation and implementation of the National Development Strategy, Sectoral Plans, Green recovery plans and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs. The workshop will also leverage the expertise from UNDESA, UNCT relevant agencies and Korea Environment Corporation (K-Eco).
Objectives
- Enhance of the knowledge and skills of participants on formulating and implementing circular economy and resource circularity policies with an objective to move towards resource efficient and zero waste societies that accelerate the SDGs.
- Improve knowledge and skills of local level participants from Agadir and Souss-Massa region on a just transition to a circular economy and resource circularity with a focus on key waste streams, advancements and innovation in waste management, and advance circularity among sub-national and urban planning, policies and practice.
Structure and Methodology
The workshop will build on the structure, methodology and outcome of the Training Workshop organized in Tangier, Morocco in November 2023. It will also be guided by the latest Government national and sectoral plans and strategies with focus on strengthening a circular economy in the waste management sector. The workshop will also build on the latest country-specific relevant activities by the UN agencies and international organizations in Morocco. The workshop will include in-room training sessions with face to face and virtual presentations on two main topics:
- Sustainable and green recovery at the local level that focus on connecting programs and projects from the national level to the subnational and local levels. It will also provide recommendations on resources, partners and potential financing of the green projects and programs in Morocco
- Sustainable waste management policies and implementation that include sharing experience by UN and K-eco experts on waste management policy, waste management technologies and best practices of waste management and its application to Morocco.
Organizers
The Government of the Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development
Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development of Morocco consists of the Department of Sustainable Development and the Department of Energy and Mines. The Department of Sustainable Development of the Ministry is the national environmental authority responsible for developing and implementing national environmental policy. It is also responsible for the coordination of environmental protection at the national and, through its regional environment directorates (DREs), regional levels. On the aspect of waste, it is charged with developing and implementing general policies regarding waste management and overseeing the implementation of the national programmes related to waste management and recycling.
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)
The Division for Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA/DSDG) mandate include providing substantive support and capacity building for the implementation 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals and their related thematic issues. As part of UNDESA’s DSDG, United Nations Office for Sustainable Development’s (UNOSD) mandate is to support UN Member States in planning and implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, through knowledge sharing, capacity development, policy advisory and research.
The Republic of Korea – Ministry of Environment’s the Korea Environment Corporation (K-eco)
The Republic of Korea’s (RoK) Ministry of the Environment has built bilateral and multilateral environmental partnerships with countries to jointly address regional environmental challenges such as transboundary pollution. Korea Environment Corporation (K-eco) is a commissioned government agency operating under the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea. Its primary focus is on preventing environmental pollution, promoting resource circulation, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change within Korea. With its origins dating back to 1980 as the "Korea Resource Generation Corporation," K-eco boasts extensive expertise and experience, particularly in the field of waste management and conducts cooperation with countries across the globe to advance these objectives. Both UNDESA and the RoK Ministry of the Environment have a shared objective of supporting developing countries in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and achieving the SDGs by strengthening the knowledge and skills of national stakeholders in formulating and implementing plans and strategies for a sustainable and resilient recovery towards the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.
The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)
GGGI is an international intergovernmental organization dedicated to promoting inclusive, sustainable economic growth in developing and emerging economies. Since establishment during Rio+20 in 2012, GGGI has expanded operations to over 50 countries including Morocco. GGGI technical support in Morocco focuses on the development of policies and incentives, identification and design of bankable projects, and assistance in mobilizing funding for their implementation including:
- Support to Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development in the transition to a green economy.
- Support to the Ministry of Interior in enhancing access to Climate Finance in Morocco’s Regions
- Support to the Ministry of Transport and Logistics in renewable and clean energy.
Programme and Agenda
Day 1 (10 December)
Welcoming Remarks
Rationale and Purpose of the Training Workshop
Session I. Green and Resilient Transition to circularity to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Morocco
- Mr. Mohammed Maktit, Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development (MTEDD) of Morocco
Session II. Legal and institutional framework for sustainable waste management from the national to Souss Massa region level
- Madam Khadija Sami, Souss Massa region, Morocco
Session III. Agriculture Plastic Waste Recycling Initiative in the Souss Massa Region
- Dr. Thami Ben Halima, Director, Agro Tech
Discussion: Barriers and challenges to promoting circular economy at the Souss Mass local level
Day 2 (11 December)
Group Tour to Tamlest and Bikarrane Landfill in Agadir and Souss-Massa
Session IV. Life cycle Approach from Waste Treatment to Disposal
- Professor Jongyeon Lee, Hallym University of Korea
Session V. Comparing Country Cases and Innovations in Circularity and Solid Waste Management through the Life cycle Approach
- Introductory Presentation. Brief Overview of Waste Management: Life cycle Approach Towards the Circularity
- Mr. Chun Kyoo Park, Head of UNOSD
Session VI. GGGI's regional initiatives in the field of circular economy in Morocco
- Mr. Mijlad Abdelouahd, GGGI Morocco office
Day 3 (12 December)
Session VII:
- Lifecycle 2. Korea’s Industrial Waste Collection, Transport, and Disposal Tracking System (Allbaro System)
- Mr. Yongjin Park, Korea Environment Corporation (K-eco)
- Lifecycle 3. Paradigm to Energy Recovery from Wastes: Waste-to-Energy
- Mr. Minho Shin, Korea Environment Corporation (K-eco)
- Lifecycle 5. Landfilling
- Professor Jaeyoung Lee, University of Seoul of Korea
Session VIII. Introduction to the Waste Management and Circular Economy Policy Support System (WMPSS)
- Ms. Chaela Shin, Associate Research and Policy Development Expert, UNOSD
Session IX. Closing session: Implementation environment and future directions for efficient waste management in the Souss Massa area
Group Tour to “ALHAMD Technology (Agriculture Plastic Waste Recycling Company)” in Agadir and Souss-Massa
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