During the Annual Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference, ECR Member Tjisse Stelpstra, emphasized that “COVID-19 has shown us how dependent we are on resources and why we need a circular economy. It's also shown how resilient Europe and its people are. Their innovation and fortitude gives us great hope going forward".

Mr Stelpstra, who also serves as regional minister for the Drenthe province in the Netherlands, and whose opinion on the New Circular Economy Action Plan was adopted by the European Committee of the Regions on 14 October, expressed concern that the role of regions in the circular economy has not been sufficiently underlined in EU policies.

He claimed that COVID-19 is a “wake-up call" and gave the example that total lockdown “showed us that a quick recovery is doable".

“With resilience and intelligence, we must be able to achieve the same results. Resilience and intelligence have given us the best circumstances for the next step".

Mr Stelpstra also underlined that local leaders in Europe “must show hope after COVID-19".

Every year, the European circular economy community from businesses, public authorities, NGOs to knowledge communities and civil society organisations gathers to discuss the transition to a circular economy. It is the flagship event of the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform, a joint initiative of the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).

Due to the current health crisis situation in Belgium, the 2020 edition of the Conference took place online on 3 & 4 November 2020.