Seychelles strengthens global partnerships for a circular economy at Türkiye’s Zero Waste Forum |10 December 2025
LWMA’s chairman Radley Weber (left) signs the MoU with representative of Zero Waste Foundation
Seychelles strengthened its international cooperation on sustainable waste management at the Global Zero Waste Forum held in Istanbul, Türkiye, from October 17-19 2025, where a high-level delegation from the Landscape and Waste Management Agency advanced new partnerships to accelerate the country’s transition toward a circular economy.
The event brought together global leaders, policymakers, and experts to address how nations can reduce waste, protect the environment, and implement innovative zero-waste solutions – a priority for Seychelles as a small island developing state (Sids) facing mounting environmental pressures.
Seychelles was one of the few Sids invited to the forum, reflecting the country’s growing role in global discussions on sustainable waste management. The delegation included the chairman of the Landscape and Waste Management Agency (LWMA), Radley Weber; LWMA chief executive, Shane Emilie; and Ramgie Pillay from the Ministry of Environment’s secretariat.
A major milestone of the forum was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between LWMA and the Zero Waste Foundation (ZWF) – an Istanbul-based non-profit organisation championed by Her Excellency Emine Erdoğan, First Lady of Türkiye.
The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation in key areas, including policy development and advocacy, capacity building and training, joint pilot projects, research and innovation, marine and coastal protection and international collaboration on circular-economy initiatives.
The partnership aims to accelerate Seychelles’ efforts to reduce waste sent to landfills by strengthening local governance structures, improving municipal capacities, and exploring innovative solutions such as waste-to-energy initiatives and other circular-economy models.
This collaboration supports Seychelles’ national sustainability agenda and aligns with LWMA’s strategic priorities for integrated waste management. It also reinforces the country’s commitment to global climate and waste-management goals, laying the foundation for transformative approaches to waste reduction and environmental protection.
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