Programme: Global Electronics Management (GEM) programme

Lead agency: UNIDO

Programme partners: AfDB, UNDP, UNEP, UNIDO

Total number of countries supported: 16

UNDP-supported countries: Cambodia,; Colombia and Viet Nam

Programme financing (UNDP supported countries):  

GEF: US$ 16.4 million

Co-financing: US$ 83.8 million

Programme timeframe: January 2026 – December 2031

Programme overview

The electronics sector drives technological innovation and supports global progress, but it also faces major environmental and social challenges. Key issues include the depletion of limited natural resources, such as critical raw materials (CRM), the use and release of toxic chemicals, and the rapidly growing volume of electronic waste (e-waste). These challenges contribute to social and economic inequalities, as access to and trade in CRMs can fuel local and international conflicts, while unsafe e-waste handling often harms vulnerable communities.

The Global Electronics Management (GEM) programme seeks to significantly cut e-waste generation, improve circularity and resource recovery, and reduce the use of harmful chemicals in the electronics sector. GEM promotes cleaner production and more sustainable consumption across the entire lifecycle of electronic products—from design and manufacturing to reuse and recycling. Its focus includes reducing hazardous chemicals, encouraging innovative designs that improve resource and energy efficiency, and creating markets for durable and repairable goods.

The GEM programme includes four key components:

• Enabling Policies on Circular Electronics
• Cleaner Production and Sustainable Consumption
• Resource-Efficient Value Chain across the Electronics Sector
• Knowledge Management, Communication, and Programme-Level Coordination

By helping the private sector build resource-efficient value chains, GEM will promote better design practices that extend the lifespan of ICT equipment. It will also support reuse, repair, and recycling efforts, as well as the recovery of valuable components and materials from electronic products.