Former European Commissioner for the Environment and Co-Chair of the International Resource Panel Janez Potočnik, widely regarded as one of the world's foremost advocates for the circular economy, will headline this year's ISWA World Congress alongside UK Environment Minister Mary Creagh MP.

Today, the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) and host organisation, the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), unveiled the first detailed programme for the global event, which takes place at London's QEII Centre from 16–18 November 2026.

The Congress will bring together policymakers, business leaders, academics and resource management professionals from more than 50 countries to help shape the future of the circular economy and tackle one of the defining environmental, economic and public health challenges of the coming decades. With global municipal solid waste generation projected to increase from 2.1 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050, delegates will explore how better resource and waste management can help protect health, the environment and economies while accelerating the transition to a more circular economy. 

Reflecting the scale of that challenge, one of the opening keynote sessions, "2 Billion Tonnes and Rising: Waste or Resources? Shared Vision or Fractured Viewpoints?", will bring together international leaders to debate whether the circular economy can provide a realistic pathway towards sustainable economic growth, the role of international collaboration, and how governments, businesses and communities should respond to growing resource pressures.

Joining Potočnik and Creagh will be ISWA President James Law, alongside leading figures from government, business, academia and the wider sustainability community, reinforcing the Congress's position as one of the world's leading forums for advancing resource management policy and practice.

The programme features more than 120 technical sessions covering circular economy, plastics, economics, municipal leadership, waste planning and service delivery, political commitment, human rights, and skills for a just transition. Sessions will explore topics ranging from implementation of the UN Plastics Treaty and financing circular economy infrastructure to municipal service delivery, workforce development and resource efficiency. Further keynote speakers and programme updates will be announced over the coming months as the Congress builds towards its opening in November. 

Sarah Poulter, Chief Executive of CIWM, said: "The transition to a more circular economy cannot be delivered by one country, one organisation or one sector acting alone. It demands collaboration between government, industry, academia and the wider sustainability community, with a willingness to share knowledge, innovation and practical experience across international borders.

"That's exactly what the ISWA World Congress is designed to achieve. By bringing together many of the world's leading policymakers, practitioners and businesses, we can build partnerships, share solutions and help shape the policies and investment needed to protect health, the environment and our economies. We're proud to welcome the global community to London and to unveil the programme for what promises to be a landmark Congress."

Hosted by CIWM on behalf of ISWA, the Congress marks the return of the organisation's flagship event to the UK for the first time in more than three decades. Expected to attract around 1,200 delegates from across the global resources and waste management sector, it provides a unique opportunity for professionals working across sustainability, manufacturing, local government, environmental policy, academia and the wider circular economy to exchange ideas, showcase innovation and help shape the future of resource management.