Andre Dzikus, Chief of Urban Basic Services at UN-Habitat, emphasized that the transition from waste management to circular resource management is essential.
Speaking at an event in the Azerbaijan Pavilion during WUF13, he noted that humanity produces over 400 million tons of plastic annually, with millions of tons ending up in oceans and soil.
“Plastic waste volume grows about 2% per year. Consumption habits and business models are key drivers. Without sustainable resource management, a viable future is impossible,” Dzikus said.
He highlighted cities as hubs for innovative solutions and outlined three priorities: better data and monitoring, circular economy adoption, and inclusive approaches.
