GENEVA — Saudi Arabia has announced the successful completion of its global e-waste regulatory initiative, developed in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), helping Paraguay, Rwanda, and Zambia establish national frameworks for electronic waste management.

The announcement was made during the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva, attended by representatives from more than 190 countries.

The initiative supports Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing digital sustainability by encouraging circular economy practices and promoting innovative regulatory approaches to reduce electronic waste.

As part of the project, three national regulatory frameworks for circular economy-based e-waste management were developed. The initiative also produced a specialized guide highlighting international best practices, along with studies estimating implementation costs and evaluating potential extended producer responsibility (EPR) fees for electronic devices in the participating countries.

More than 270 organizations and over 480 public and private sector experts from around the world contributed to the project.

Saudi Arabia said the initiative reflects its long-standing commitment to supporting the ITU since joining the organization in 1949, while promoting regulatory innovation, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, knowledge sharing, human capacity development, and the circular economy.

Jointly implemented by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) and the ITU, the project was signed during the Global Symposium for Regulators in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, in June 2023 and officially launched at COP28 in Dubai in November 2023.

Key outcomes included the preparation of national e-waste regulations, implementation frameworks for EEE-EPR, collaboration with electronics manufacturers and industry stakeholders, studies on sustainable financing mechanisms, and the publication of the second edition of Policy Practices for E-waste Management: Tools for a Fair and Balanced Circular Economy in 2025.

The initiative also supported consultation, capacity-building, and regulatory development in the three participating countries, helping strengthen sustainable e-waste management while encouraging greater private-sector involvement in the circular economy.

Saudi Arabia said the project demonstrates how international cooperation can help countries build effective e-waste legislation and sustainable digital ecosystems, adding that several other nations have expressed interest in receiving similar support through the ITU.

Source:Saudi Gazette