Held for the first time in Latin America, the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) strengthens Brazil's leading role in the global circularity agenda and validates CEBDS' actions in financing, metrics and public policies.
The World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2025, held in São Paulo from May 13 to 16, marked a strategic moment for Brazil and for the global circular economy agenda. This was the first edition of the event in Latin America, reinforcing the region’s growing role in building more sustainable and regenerative development models.
Convergence with the CEBDS agenda
CEBDS's performance was highlighted throughout the event, with active participation in strategic sessions that reinforced its leadership and validated the priorities of its circular economy agenda.
One of the highlights was co-leading the session “Aligning finance and circularity with the Global Circularity Protocol for Business (GCP)”, held in partnership with the WBCSD. The discussion explored ways to attract private capital to circular initiatives and highlighted the importance of standards for measuring, managing and disclosing companies’ circular performance. The consensus around the GCP strengthens CEBDS’ work in developing metrics and tools to support the business sector.
Another relevant panel was the “Circular Economy Disclosures: Linking Impact to Financial Value”, which included the participation of Petrobras, a member of CEBDS. The debate reinforced the need for robust indicators that connect circular impact to financial value — a central theme for CEBDS, which supports companies in creating value and mitigating risks associated with the linear economy.
The Forum also marked an important step forward in the regulatory agenda with the announcement of the approval of the National Circular Economy Plan. CEBDS has actively contributed to the construction of this public policy and will continue to influence the creation of a regulatory environment favorable to the circular transition in the country.
Regional leadership and drive for sustainable transition
The WCEF 2025 event in Brazil has projected the country as a center for debate and innovation in the circular economy in Latin America. The event recognized Brazil's potential in circular solutions and positioned the country as a leader capable of inspiring other nations in the region.
The Forum reinforced the urgency of the global transition to regenerative economic models, going beyond traditional sustainability. The emphasis on the bioeconomy and tropical solutions — areas in which Brazil stands out due to its megabiodiversity and vast biomass — showed how the country can lead a new development paradigm aligned with circular principles.
Another highlight was the multisectoral environment built throughout the event. The presence of representatives from the business sector, governments, experts and civil society organizations promoted a qualified and collaborative dialogue, essential for the construction of integrated and effective solutions.
Accelerating transition and strategic legacy
WCEF 2025 not only increased the visibility of the circular economy in Brazil, but also provided concrete guidance and strengthened the work of CEBDS and its associates. The event served as a catalyst to accelerate the transition to circular business models, reinforcing the country's leading role on the international stage and consolidating CEBDS as a reference in promoting a new, regenerative, inclusive and resilient economy.
