#Taiwan #Taipei #circular economy #APCER 2025 #Taiwan Economy

Taiwan Takes the Lead in Circular Economy at APCER & Hotspot 2025

The Asia Pacific Circular Economy Roundtable and Hotspot 2025 (APCER & Hotspot 2025) successfully concluded in Taipei with more than 500 participants from 50 countries. This pivotal event, hosted by Taiwan's Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Taiwan Circular Network, spanned four days and served as a gathering point for lawmakers, industry leaders, and academics dedicated to advancing circular economy initiatives throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

In recent years, Taiwan has made significant strides in promoting a circular economy model. In 2024, the green technology sector alone generated over NT$500 billion (approximately USD 15 billion) in added value, contributing 2% to the country's GDP. Among seven sectors within green technology, the circular economy emerged as the top contributor, showing nearly 10% annual growth in both value addition and employment, emphasizing its crucial role as a driver of Taiwan's industrial transformation.

A highlight of the forum was the unveiling of the draft 'Circular Economy Roadmap for Taiwan,' which adopted an innovative co-creation format. This enabled both domestic and international participants to provide real-time feedback and collaborative ideas. The roadmap is designed not only as a national policy framework but also as a foundation for intersectoral cooperation between Taiwan and its global partners.

During his speech, Minister Peng Chi-ming reinforced Taiwan's regional commitment, stating, "This forum signifies a new starting point—a platform where we can jointly create circular solutions. The transition to a circular economy demands collective efforts from global partners, and Taiwan will continue to be a key ally in advancing regional circular cooperation."

The closing ceremony also marked the transfer of responsibilities to Sydney, Australia, which will host the Asia-Pacific Circular Economy Hotspot in 2026, in collaboration with partners from the Oceania region. With a strong foundation laid in Taiwan, the momentum for circular cooperation is set to expand, reinforcing the Asia-Pacific network toward a more resilient, competitive, and genuinely circular future for the region.

As Taiwan leads the way, the world is watching its innovative strategies in sustainability and economic transformation. The outcomes of this gathering highlight not only Taiwan’s commitment but also its capacity to drive substantial changes in the global view on circular economy practices. This is merely a glimpse into the future as more nations look toward similar models of sustainability inspired by Taiwan's proactive measures and collaborative engagements.