February 23, 2022
Bogotá DC, February 23, 2022 - MADS - Colombia and the Netherlands have signed an agreement aimed at enhancing circular economy initiatives. This production model focuses on recycling, renovation, repair, reuse, and sharing to create added value for products and prolong their life cycles, thus reducing waste and pollution.
The memorandum of understanding facilitates joint efforts in knowledge exchange, policy innovation, and the development of circular economy technologies. It was signed by Carlos Eduardo Correa, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development; Juan Gonzalo Botero, Deputy Minister of Agricultural Affairs; and Ernst Noorman, the ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Colombia.
Both nations have committed to a collaborative strategy supporting financial, technical, scientific, and informational sectors. This initiative will positively influence industrial materials, mass consumption products, containers and packaging, biomass flows, energy sources, and construction materials.
“Colombia is the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean to implement a circular economy strategy, establishing us as a regional leader. We are actively collaborating with Panama to spread these best practices. Addressing climate change and protecting biodiversity requires comprehensive strategies that involve community engagement,” stated Minister Correa.
Reduce, Recycle, and Reuse
Deputy Minister Botero emphasized the transition towards sustainable, eco-friendly agriculture, utilizing resources consciously.
Circular economy practices in agriculture, focusing on waste management, encompass three core elements: reduce, recycle, and reuse. Our goal is to increase the recycling rate from 8.7% to 17.9% by 2030.
A Strategic Partner
“We aim to assist Colombia not just in formulating policies but also in their effective implementation, which relies on robust public-private partnerships,” explained Noorman.
Colombia and the Netherlands have cooperated on circular economy issues for years, and this agreement strengthens their ties. Their joint projects include the reuse of dredged materials and a significant waste reuse initiative in Pereira.
This agreement will attract substantial support from the Netherlands in water, agriculture, and sustainable productivity sectors, paving the way for future local projects in Barranquilla, Bogotá, Medellín, and Pereira, all aimed at preserving natural resources.
Type Approval Impacted
N/A
Approval Process Impact
N/A
Importation Process Impact
N/A
Type of Product Impacted
Plastic packages, electronics, batteries