Workshop
14 February 2022 10:00 — 10:45
Exploring circularity in fashion and apparel trade and investments within African and EU partnerships
On 14 February 2022 from 10:00 to 10:45 CET, ECDPM and Msingi organised the workshop ‘Exploring circularity in fashion and apparel trade and investments within African and EU Partnerships’. The workshop is part of the 7th EU-Africa Business Forum.
ECDPM staff involved
While countries in Asia continue to lead clothing production, a thriving textiles industry is emerging in Africa with significant potential for job creation and skills development. At the same time, the global fashion and apparel industry faces severe issues of environmental degradation and human rights violations across the value chain.
Transitioning towards a circular economy can promote a more resilient fashion industry while curbing the negative impacts on the environment and human well-being caused by the existing linear system. In this respect the private sector, both in Africa and Europe can play a key role in fostering an inclusive circular fashion and apparel industry.
The session was an opportunity for public-private dialogue on ways to promote an inclusive circular economy transition in textiles in Africa and Europe. It provided a platform to showcase examples of innovative circular approaches and partnerships in Europe and Africa and explored ways to support that through effective policies.
Speakers
The session was moderated by ECDPM’s Jeske van Seters and the speakers include:
- Ms Gurpreet Kenth, Chief Executive Officer at Trash Thread Textile (T3), Kenya
- Mr Robert Orina, Chief Enforcement Officer at National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), Kenya
- Ms Vera Groeneveld, Policy Officer Circular Economy at the Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management
- Mr Bhairav Raja, Director, Responsible Business, Sustainable Business Group at DAI
