Session 1: Environmental Challenges of E-waste

The growing amount of e-waste all over the world has garnered international attention because of its negative and harmful impacts on the environment and human health. This growing number of e-waste can be attributed to two factors: the mismanagement of end-of-life practices; and the loss of resources during production chains. This session will provide information on the current situation of e-waste, focusing in particular on the Latin American region.       

Moderator: Juan Piaggio, Adviser, National Directorate of Telecommunications, Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining (MIEM-Dinatel), Uruguay  [ Biography EN | ES ]

Speaker:      

• Carlos Gera, Gerente General, Asociación de Informáticos de la Administración Pública y Privada (ASIAP) : Los Desechos Tecnológicos, ¿nos preocupan o nos ocupan? [ Biography EN | ES | Presentation ES ]
• Antonio Pascale, Professor, Cátedra de Toxicología, Universidad de la República, Uruguay : Basura Electrónica y Salud Infantil: Estrategia de la Organización Mundial de la Salud [ Biography EN | Presentation ES ]
• Daniela Torres, Global Manager of Green ICT & Environment and Head of the Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Office, Telefónica : Gestión de residuos eléctricos y electrónicos en Telefónica [ Biography EN | Presentation ES ]
• Dickson Kwesiga, Manager Administration, Uganda Communications Commission : E-waste Management – Uganda’s Journey [ Biography EN | Presentation EN ]

Questions and answers

​​Session 2: The role of policies and standards for effective e-waste management

This session will discuss the importance of policy and regulatory frameworks on e-waste issues. This session will also provide an open platform for discussion among ICT companies, original equipment manufacturer (OEM), recycling companies, government authorities and academia to help identify suitable approaches, business plans and other ways to deal with e-waste challenges under the policy principle of Extended Producer Responsibility and the implementation of international standards, efficient regulatory frameworks and encouraging also public-private partnerships.

Moderator: Juan Andrés Canessa, Director General, Department of Environmental Development, Municipality of Montevideo

Speakers:           

• Cristina Bueti, Advisor of ITU-T Study Group 5 “Environment and Climate Change”, ITU : Environmental Sound Management of E-Waste  [ Biography EN | Presentation EN | Presentation ES ]
• Alexandre Barbosa, General Manager, UNESCO Regional Center on the Development of Information Society : The importance of indicators and metrics in policymaking and policy assessment  [ Biography EN | Presentation EN ]
• Gustavo Fernandez Protomastro, Consultant, UNEP Basel Convention Regional Center for South America :  Best Practices on Electronic Scrap Management [ Biography EN | Presentation EN ]

Questions and answers

Session 3: Building sustainable businesses and strategies through e-waste management: turning an e-challenge into an e-opportunity               

The challenges presented above provide stakeholders with countless opportunities to develop sustainable business models. Boosting comprehensive e-waste management programs based on international standards and innovation programs; can promote environmental sustainability; have the potential to generate decent employment; curb health problems; cut greenhouse gas emissions; and recover a wide range of valuable metals including silver, gold, palladium, copper and indium. This session will explore on how to capitalize on these opportunities through adopting comprehensive e-waste management programs into the current business models.

Moderator: Ahmed Zeddam, ITU-T SG5 Chairman  [ Biography EN ]

Speakers:

• Consuelo Velarde, Business Development Manager of Latin America, Belmont Trading : Turning E-Challenge into an E-Opportunity  [ Biography EN | Presentation EN ]
• Ed Butler, Sustainability-Recycling & Product End of Life Manager, Nokia : Nokia’s Take Back Programs [ Biography EN | Presentation EN ]
• Uca Silva, Plataforma Relac SUR/IRDC : Foro sobre la gestión ambientalmente racional de los residuos electrónicos
  en América Latina [ Biography EN | Presentation ES ]
• Mario Teza, Special Advisor to the Serpro's CEO : Lixo eletronico e Inclusao Digital e Social no Brasil [ Biography ES | Presentation]

Questions and answers

​Wrap-up and closing remarks

• Sergio De Cola, Director, National Directorate of Telecommunications, Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining (MIEM-Dinatel), Uruguay [ Biography EN | ES ]
• Marisol Mallo, Director, Unidad de Planificación, Dirección Nacional de Medio Ambiente (DINAMA), Ministerio de Vivienda, Ordenamiento Territorial y Medio Ambiente (MVOTMA)
• Sergio Scarabino, Head of ITU Area Office, Santiago [ Biography ES ]