Industrial parks are among the most powerful engines of economic growth, investment attraction and job creation worldwide. Yet they also account for a significant share of industrial resource consumption, waste generation and environmental pollution. As countries accelerate green industrialization, climate action and resilient supply chains, transforming industrial parks into circular, low-carbon and resource-efficient production systems is emerging as a critical pathway to reconcile economic competitiveness with environmental sustainability.

This webinar convened global pioneers and leading practitioners to share proven experiences and forward-looking solutions for advancing circular industrial parks. The discussion highlighted policy frameworks, industrial symbiosis models, technological innovation and financing mechanisms that can unlock large-scale transformation. The dialogue aimed to provide strategic insights and practical pathways for UNDP teams, country offices and partners working with governments to accelerate circular economy transition, pollution and waste reduction, and sustainable industrial development across developing economies.

Agenda

08:00–08:05 am     Opening Remarks

Francine Pickup, Deputy Assistant Administrator and Deputy Director, Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS), UNDP

08:05–08:50 am      Global Leadership and Experiences

08:05–08:20 am      Industrial Symbiosis in Practice: The Kalundborg Model

Bjarke Skaanning, Director, Kalundborg Symbiosis, Denmark

08:20–08:35 am      Korea’s National Eco-Industrial Park Program: Policies, Business Models and Technologies

Prof. Hung-Suck Park, University of Ulsan, Republic of Korea

08:35–08:50 am      China’s Practice in Circular Transformation of Industrial Parks

Dr. Yuyan Song, Director, Green Partnership of Industrial Parks, China

08:50–09:25 am      Dialogue and Q&A

09:25–09:30 am      Closing Reflections

Key takeaways

The discussion highlighted industrial parks as a key entry point for advancing circular economy approaches, particularly in rapidly industrializing contexts. Successful models rely on strong coordination across companies and institutions, a clear business case to engage industry, and approaches that often start with pilot projects before scaling. Policy support, financing, and data were identified as critical enablers.