The city of Kpalime, located about 120 kilometers north of Lome, is hosting the "Territories of Africa Zero Waste" forum, bringing together over 300 participants from Togo and several other African countries. The event, which began on Monday, aims to find concrete solutions to the challenges of waste management on the continent and contribute to the development of a common African position in preparation for the 31st United Nations Climate Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Turkey.
The forum, organized by the Togolese government, focuses on territorial cooperation and environmental innovation. It brings together institutional, economic, and social actors to discuss mechanisms for transforming waste management practices and promoting development models that are more respectful of the environment. The event was officially opened by Minister Dodzi Komla Kokoroko, who is in charge of the Environment, Forestry, Coastal Protection, and Climate Change.
The forum's discussions center on innovations in waste collection, sorting, recycling, and valorization, as well as strategies for African local authorities to strengthen their intervention capacities sustainably. The event aims to promote an inclusive and concerted approach, based on the complementarity of responsibilities and the mutualization of experiences. Participants include local elected officials, parliamentarians, traditional authorities, academics, technical and financial partners, economic operators, civil society representatives, and young people engaged in environmental protection.
One of the forum's main objectives is to contribute to the development of a common African position on waste-related issues, which will inform discussions at COP31. This position will enable African local authorities to make their specific concerns heard in international climate negotiations, particularly regarding financing for waste management infrastructure, technology transfer, local capacity building, and the promotion of the circular economy.
The Togolese government has taken a leadership role in environmental governance, and the organization of this forum is an extension of its commitment to cooperation and innovation. Togo leads the African chapter of the Zero Waste Initiative, which gives it a role in mobilizing and coordinating continental efforts in this area. The government aims to encourage the adoption of public policies that promote waste reduction, economic valorization, and the emergence of circular economy practices.
The forum's success will be measured by the participants' ability to translate discussions into operational recommendations, structuring partnerships, and commitments that can be effectively implemented. The initiative, led by Togo, could help strengthen the place of African local authorities in international climate debates and make sustainable waste management a lever for economic development, environmental resilience, and improved living standards.
The event highlights the need for a collective approach to waste management, involving all stakeholders and prioritizing pragmatic, sustainable, and adapted responses to territorial specificities. The goal is to make waste a resource for development, through the development of recycling channels, the transformation of organic waste, the promotion of environmental entrepreneurship, and the improvement of treatment infrastructure.
Key points
- The forum aims to develop a common African position on waste-related issues ahead of COP31.
- Togo is leading the African chapter of the Zero Waste Initiative.
- The event brings together over 300 participants from Togo and other African countries to discuss sustainable waste management solutions.
