Building on the lessons learned from the related project between the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this WSIS session will focus on how approaches to tackling e-waste — through effective regulation and industry’s buy-in through extended producer responsibility approaches — do not always need to be copied or replicated based on European approaches. The session will take place on 06 July 2026, 14:00 to 16:45 CEST at ITU Headquarters - Room H2.
During the session, innovative approaches will be showcased from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Zambia, the Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Paraguay, including the approaches that have been taken to prepare e-waste regulation.
Building e-waste management systems that are legally transparent, financially appropriate and digitally supported is key to the transition to a circular economy. Countries with an e-waste legislation in place have on average a collection rate of 25 per cent compared to those countries with no legislation in place, where the collection rate is close to zero per cent.
This session will also aim to generate a call to action for policymakers and industry to work together to develop e-waste policy and regulation for a circular economy. Too often, governments develop e-waste regulations in the absence of input and consultation with the electronics industry. While at the same time, industry needs a level-playing field at the national level to be able to confidently support changes in the way electronics are produced, consumed and discarded.