The Seventh Conference on Circular Economy The Role of Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) in Accelerating the Transition to the Circular Economy

On 10th May 2022, in Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace, Georgian Society of Nature Explorers “Orchis” and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Georgia organized the seventh Conference on Circular Economy on the Role of SMEs in Accelerating the Transition to the Circular Economy in the frames of the Circular Economy Programme funded by the Government of Sweden. The conference was arranged in close cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in particular with their Baku and Tbilisi Regional Offices, which enabled the participation of representatives of SMEs and academia from Azerbaijan in the event.

After six successful conferences held in 2019-2022 for policy makers, the Parliament of Georgia, the state, regional and municipal authorities of the country, business community, financial sector, universities of Georgia and academia, the seventh Conference on Circular Economy targeted SMEs as they are considered one of the key stakeholders of the transition process, which should design and develop circular business models and projects.

The purpose of the event was to provide recommendations to the SMEs of Georgia and Azerbaijan on how to incorporate circularity principles in their current activities and future development plans. It was attended by representatives of SMEs from Georgia and Azerbaijan, business associations, the Parliament of Georgia, the Government of Georgia (the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development), the Administration of the State Attorney in Kakheti Region, the Embassy of Sweden/ Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the diplomatic corps, the international financial institutions, among them EBRD, and media.

The conference was opened by the Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Acad. Solomon Pavliashvili. The Chair of the Sector Economy and Economic Policy Committee of the Parliament of Georgia Mr. David Songulashvili, the Executive Director of the Business Association of Georgia Mr. Levan Vepkhvadze, the Environmental Program Officer of Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) Ms. Khatuna Zaldastanishvili and the Chair of GSNE “Orchis” Dr. Mariam Kimeridze made their welcoming speeches.

The keynote speaker of the conference was Dr. Dariusz Edward Prasek – an International Expert in sustainable finance, environmental, social and governance areas and circular economy, the member of the United Nations Advisory Board on Circular Economy, the former Director of Operations in Environmental and Sustainability Department of the Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Independent Expert on Development Financing at IDB Invest, who informed the attendants about main aspects of the transition to the circular economy, among them how this system could be efficiently implemented, and what is the specific role of the SMEs in this process.

In addition to the overall information about the circular economy and circular models, circular economy benefits, challenges and drivers, the conference made particular emphasis on the role of business and especially SMEs in transition process, business opportunities and key steps for implementing circular economy framework as well as various sectoral examples and examples of CE among SMEs. Furthermore, the EU CE policy framework including EU Green Deal as an advanced experience in accelerating the transition to the circular economy was discussed during the meeting.

In his presentation the keynote speaker Dr. Dariusz Prasek accentuated that the circular economy concept is a highly relevant for SMEs, because the growing deficit of non-renewable natural resources calls for efficient use of these resources. On the other hand, by their nature, SMEs can identify various opportunities and grasp the circular thinking much faster that larger businesses.

The thematic of the conference raised a vivid interest among the participants, and they actively discussed topical matters. The participation of Georgian and Azerbaijanian SMEs in this event facilitates accelerated transition to the green economy in our countries and the entire region.

The seventh Conference on Circular Economy was organized commonly by Georgian Society of Nature Explorers “Orchis” (GSNE “Orchis”) and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, in the frames of the Circular Economy Programme funded by the Government of Sweden and implemented by GSNE “Orchis” with the support of Georgian Ministries of Environmental Protection & Agriculture, Finance, Regional Development & Infrastructure, Economy & Sustainable Development, and Education & Science.