A formal event dedicated to the resolution on Circular economy co-sponsored by Armenia took place in Vienna

02 November, 2026

On November 2, Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia Tigran Gasparyan participated in and delivered opening remarks at the "Circular Economy and Green Industry Week 2026" organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

The event was dedicated to the resolution titled "Circular Economy for Inclusive and Sustainable Development" (GC.21/Res.4), jointly submitted by Armenia, Mexico, and the Philippines and unanimously adopted at the UNIDO General Conference on November 27, 2025. The event was organized to celebrate the first anniversary of the adoption of the resolution, discuss its implementation, and outline future steps.

In his statement Deputy Minister Tigran Gasparyan presented Armenia’s national experience regarding industrialization, specifically the transition from a resource-intensive model to industrial development based on productivity, emphasizing that the principles of a circular economy are integral to this transformation process.

The Deputy Minister addressed the primary obstacles to a circular economy, including gaps in waste collection and sorting infrastructure, a lack of economic incentives for recycling, and the loss of value-added potential due to the export of secondary raw materials. In the context of addressing these challenges, the importance of developing viable business models for circular economy projects, establishing appropriate economic incentives, and promoting initiatives for circular industrial zones was highlighted.

Opening remarks were also delivered by UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller, Federal Minister for Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management of Austria Norbert Totschnig, Minister of Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation of Suriname Andrew Baasaron, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines Hiro Masuda, and others.

The speakers addressed particularly the importance of the circular economy, highly commended the adoption of the resolution by UNIDO, expressed gratitude to the initiating countries, including Armenia, and highlighted the implementation of its provisions. Several speakers also touched upon the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Armenia, and UNIDO’s participation in it. Minister Norbert Totschnig, who personally attended COP17, spoke highly of its outcomes and of the high level of the organization of COP17.

The high-level segment of the event featured cultural performances by the authors of the resolution. Students from the Hovhannes Shiraz Saturday School in Vienna performed traditional Armenian dances, as well as one of Charles Aznavour’s songs. A thematic exhibition was opened at the UN headquarters in Vienna.

The event will continue for two more days, enabling the representatives from UN member states to present their national experience, share best practices, and strengthen international cooperation in the field of the circular economy.

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