Under the Philippines' 2026 ASEAN Chairship, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will lead the ASEAN Regional Dialogue on Circular Economy on 22–23 September 2026 at the New World Hotel, Makati City, providing a dedicated regional platform to advance a holistic, inclusive, and practical approach to circular economy implementation across ASEAN. The initiative reflects the Philippines' commitment to strengthening regional cooperation on circularity, resource efficiency, sustainable production and consumption, and green economic transformation.

With support from the European Union–Philippines Green Economy Partnership and other development partners, the DENR-led dialogue will convene representatives from ASEAN governments, the private sector, academe, think tanks, local government units, civil society organizations, and development institutions. The dialogue will facilitate the exchange of policies, experiences, and practical solutions; identify opportunities for stronger regional collaboration; and promote approaches that support the transition toward a more circular, resource-efficient, resilient, and inclusive ASEAN economy.

As a key feature of the DENR-led initiative, a Circular Economy Solutions and Demonstration Area will showcase practical, inclusive, innovative, and scalable circular economy solutions from ASEAN Member States, local governments, the private sector, development partners, and other stakeholders. The demonstration area will highlight approaches and technologies in materials recovery, recycling and upcycling, waste diversion, resource efficiency, livelihood generation, sustainable production and consumption, and other circular economy interventions.

Beyond showcasing good practices, the Solutions and Demonstration Area will serve as a platform for connecting solution providers, policymakers, investors, local governments, communities, and development partners. It aims to amplify promising ASEAN solutions and create opportunities for investment, partnerships, technology and knowledge exchange, replication, and scale-up across Member States.

The dialogue is supported by the European Union–Philippines Green Economy Partnership, GIZ, United Nations Development Programme, Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD), Expertise France, and the Plastic Reboot Programme. The European Union-Philippines Green Economy Partnership is a €60 million priority programme of the European Union under its Global Gateway initiative, with a component co-funded by the International Climate Initiative of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, and implemented by GIZ.