On March 3, 2025, India launched the Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3), a multi-nation initiative aimed at fostering collaboration among cities for sustainable urban development. This coalition emphasizes knowledge-sharing, public-private partnerships, and the application of circular economy principles to tackle the growing challenges of urban waste and resource inefficiency in the Asia-Pacific region.
Table of Contents
India Leads Global Effort with New Multi-Nation Alliance
Topic |
Details |
|---|---|
Initiative |
Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3) |
Launch Date |
March 3, 2025 |
Key Stakeholders |
Policymakers, private sector, researchers, development partners |
Primary Goals |
Promote circular economy, resource efficiency, and 3R principles |
Associated Initiative |
CITIIS 2.0 MoU signed at launch |
Funding Announced |
₹1,800 crore for 18 cities in 14 States |
Official Link |
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs |
India’s Leadership in Urban Sustainability
National Vision for Circularity
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized India’s commitment to the Pro-Planet People (P3) approach and underlined the importance of the 3R principles—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle—as the foundation for sustainable development. He proposed the formation of a working group to define the structure and operations of the new C-3 coalition.
India’s Willingness to Share Expertise
India positions itself as a knowledge hub in the circular economy domain, highlighting its readiness to share experiences and best practices with other nations navigating similar urban development challenges.
CITIIS 2.0 and Major Funding Boost
CITIIS 2.0 Agreement
At the C-3 launch event in Jaipur, a key Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for CITIIS 2.0 was signed, reinforcing India’s ongoing urban sustainability efforts.
Investment Highlights
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₹1,800 crore in agreements signed
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Targeting 18 cities across 14 States
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Projects will act as lighthouse models for other urban areas
Regional Context and Policy Foundations
Evolution of the 3R Forum
The Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific, initiated in 2009, laid early groundwork for cross-border cooperation in waste management and resource efficiency.
Hanoi 3R Declaration (2013–2023)
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Adopted 33 voluntary goals
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Aimed to transition the region to a resource-efficient, circular economy
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Addressed rising waste generation and unsustainable consumption patterns
Why the C-3 Coalition Matters
Key Objectives
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Strengthen city-to-city collaboration
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Promote knowledge exchange between governments and the private sector
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Support policy development and capacity building
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Enable scalable models for resource efficiency and waste reduction
Strategic Importance for the Asia-Pacific
As urban centers grow rapidly, the coalition responds to the urgent need for environmental sustainability, addressing:
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Depletion of natural resources
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Increasing municipal waste volumes
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Infrastructure stress in cities
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the C-3 Coalition?
The Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3) is a multi-national platform launched by India to promote sustainable urban development through circular economy principles and city-level collaboration.
What are the main goals of C-3?
To enable resource efficiency, reduce urban waste, and foster partnerships among cities, industries, and research institutions.
What role does India play in the circular economy space?
India is leading the initiative by advocating the 3R principles and the P3 (Pro-Planet People) approach, while sharing its learnings with other developing nations.
What is CITIIS 2.0?
CITIIS (City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain) 2.0 is an urban development program that focuses on sustainable and innovative infrastructure. A new MoU was signed at the C-3 launch.
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