The Opening Session will set the stage for WRF 2025 by framing the urgency and ambition of the conference theme: New Resource Strategies for a Fair and Sustainable Future. High-level Keynotes will outline the critical resource challenges we face and the need for coordinated, cross-sectoral action. This session will launch a global dialogue aimed at shaping concrete strategies for systemic change.
Welcome Remarks
Grand Opening
Keynotes
This panel will explore how global trade systems for minerals and metals can reconcile supply security with sustainability. It will examine the role of governance, policy reform, transparency and industry collaboration in shaping future global trade frameworks that support a secure supply while attaining high environmental and social standards.
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This session aims to foster an interdisciplinary and constructive dialogue on the governance of deep-sea mining at a time when decisions made today may have lasting consequences for generations to come. Experts will discuss the current state of scientific knowledge on deep-sea ecosystems, knowledge gaps, the capacity of existing and emerging technologies and the evolving international legal landscape.
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This partner-led session organized by StEP Initiative will serve as a platform to reconnect with StEP’s mission and kick off its next phase of evolution. By including public voices in the shaping of the new strategy, the workshop aims to ensure that StEP’s revitalization reflects the needs of today’s global e-waste community. It also seeks to increase visibility for the initiative, building momentum and engagement around its new direction.
This session aims to foster dialogue on how international cooperation, governance, finance, and innovation can align to support context-sensitive solutions that are also globally aligned. Experts will discuss most promising pathways for the Global North and Global South, the role of sustainable construction materials, and how finance and technology transfer can support a just and sustainable built environment.
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This panel will explore forward-looking strategies to ensure sustainability in electronics and digital infrastructure. It will examine how innovations, policy frameworks and consumer behaviour can reduce resource pressures while supporting the energy and digital transitions.
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This session will provide Closing Remarks for the conference, alongside the assignment of scientific awards.
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Session chair: Michael Tost (Technical University of Leoben, Austria)
Transparency in plastic value chains remains a major barrier to achieving a circular economy. While digital tools for material traceability such as digital product passports and blockchain-based systems are advancing, their implementation often lacks inclusivity and global alignment. This session explores current approaches to tracking plastic materials across product life cycles and evaluates their implications for stakeholders in the Global South.
Building on a forthcoming publication led by the Wuppertal Institute and commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUKN), the session will provide an overview of key technologies, highlight strengths and limitations. It will also discuss the role of traceability in international negotiations of the Global Plastics Treaty.
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Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) plays a vital role in mineral extraction worldwide. Characterized by low capital investment and labour-intensive methods, it is often carried out in remote areas and provides an important source of non-farm income in rural regions across Africa, Asia, and South America. Beyond its economic significance, ASM has far-reaching social, environmental, and ecological implications. Environmental concerns in particular affect the health and quality of life of mine workers, local communities, and future generations. Three key pillars define the study of ASM: environmental stewardship, occupational health, and domestic revenue mobilization. Applying fair-trade principles offers one pathway to progressively improve working conditions and sustainability, while also addressing the social impacts, economic contributions, and the critical role of women in ASM. This session will shed light on these complex dynamics and explore how ASM can move towards more sustainable and fair practices.
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This session is organised by Cerege and Aix Université Marseille.
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