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The launch of the European Plastics Pact

Friday 6 March 2020

The official launch event of the European Plastics Pact took place on the 6th of March, 2020 at “The Square” Convention Centre in Brussels, Belgium.

The programme was as follows:

08:00 Ministerial breakfast

This segment is open to invited ministers only

09:00 High-level meet & greet – Magritte Lounge

This segment is open to ministers and CEOs of participating organizations only. No press. A dedicated pressroom is available for all signatories for interviews and photos.

09:00 Welcome to all participants

 Informally meet other participants over coffee around topics related to the innovation of the plastics value chain in Europe and beyond.

10:00 Start of the plenary programme – Silver Hall

Moderator (Karl Raats) will open the plenary.

Opening interview

The moderator interviews the three initiating ministers from Denmark, France and the Netherlands.

Address by Frans Timmermans, vice-president European Commission
Ceremonial group photo
Interaction with the audience

Moderator interacts with audience through an online platform (Buzz Master)

High-level panel I: Partnerships—closing the loop

  •       Andrew Morlet, CEO, Ellen MacArthur Foundation
  •       João Pedro Matos Fernandes, Minister of Environment, Portugal
  •       Pierre-Yves Pouliquen, Sustainable Development Director, SUEZ
  •       Simon Zajc, Minister of Environment, Slovenia
  •       Gunvor Ericson State Secretary of Environment, Sweden
  •       Jean-Christophe Sibileau, CEO Europe, Bonduelle
  •       Pascal Canfin, Chair of the Environment Committee, European Parliament
Address by Emma Navarro – vice-president for financing the environment, climate action and circular economy, European Investment Bank
High-level panel II: Innovation—design for circularity

  •       Jean-Claude Lumaraet, CEO, Carbios
  •       Hein Schumacher, CEO, Friesland Campina
  •       Hugo Moran, Secretary of state of Environment, Spain
  •       Patrick Labat, Vice-president Northern Europe, Veolia
  •       Krista Mikkonen, Minister of Environment, Finland
  •       Camilla Haustrup Hermansen, Owner & Director, Plus Pack AS
  •       Bris Rocher, CEO, Groupe Rocher
Wrap-up by moderator

Discussion with the audience on the mind set change necessary for circular economy.

12:00 Final remarks

Ministers from Denmark, France and the Netherlands.

12:30 Start of the working groups on expert level (closed meetings for signatories, including lunch)
Topics:
1. Monitoring and reporting
2. Reduce and reuse models
3. Design for circularity
4. Waste shipment
5. Food contact applications
6. Steering the supply chain
14:30 End of working groups
15:00 End of the conference