The Pacific Recycling Foundation (PRF) is set to host the VAKA Forum: International Academic Lens & Donor Alignment in Sydney, Australia, on February 17-18 at the University of New South Wales. This event aims to address the pressing waste crisis in Fiji and across the Pacific by transforming research and innovative ideas into effective recycling solutions.
The Forum is organized in collaboration with UNSW and the ANZPAC Plastics Pact – APCO, with valuable support from Fiji’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Pacific Energy, Suva City Council, Tourism Fiji, and various industry partners as part of the Global Recycling Day campaign for 2025.
Approximately 40 participants, including academic leaders, government officials, industry representatives, and donor agencies, are expected to gather. During the two-day event, they will exchange experiences and showcase solutions that have proven effective in real-world applications.
Amitesh Deo, the founder of PRF, emphasized the importance of the Forum in transforming on-the-ground experiences into actionable policies, funding, and scalable projects. He expressed the vision of transcending small, isolated initiatives to achieve coordinated efforts, particularly focusing on empowering women and marginalized communities in the recycling sector.
The collaborative environment of the Forum is anticipated to foster partnerships and actionable ideas that will continue to drive progress in recycling efforts through 2026 and beyond, highlighting a hopeful future for waste management in the Pacific region.