FORS Montenegro at ISWA 2025 World Congress – Buenos Aires, 27–29 October 2025
By: admin
11 Nov
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At the end of October 2025, FORS Montenegro participated in one of the world’s leading events in the field of waste management – the ISWA 2025 World Congress, held in Buenos Aires and organised by the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) and the Argentinian association ARS.
As the national ISWA member, FORS Montenegro took part for the first time in the ISWA General Assembly with full voting rights—an important milestone in strengthening our international engagement and influence within the global waste-management community.
The central theme of this year’s Congress was “Towards a wasteless future or a wasteful planet?” — a question that clearly highlights how the future of resource management will shape the development of both local and global communities.
Our presence at the ISWA Congress allowed us to:
- gain insights into the latest global trends in waste management,
- connect with experts from more than 50 countries,
- exchange experiences on practical models from around the world,
- strengthen our capacities for upcoming projects focused on EPR systems, organic waste, innovation, and circular resource-management solutions.
These topics align directly with our current initiatives and strategic direction.
Our activities during the Congress
1. Participation in the ISWA General Assembly
As a national ISWA member, we took part for the first time in the General Assembly with full voting rights—marking a significant step forward in contributing to and shaping the global professional community.
2. Networking and professional consultations
Through numerous meetings, discussions and informal exchanges, we established connections with experts from Europe, North and Latin America, Asia and other regions, opening avenues for future cooperation.
3. Participation in thematic sessions and panels
We followed presentations and discussions on circular economy, EPR systems, textile and organic waste, financing of infrastructure, and innovative technologies—providing valuable knowledge for projects we are developing.
4. Learning from good-practice examples
Presentations and knowledge-exchange sessions offered a broad overview of successful international solutions and innovations that can be adapted and applied in Montenegro and the region.
Key messages we bring from Buenos Aires
- Circular models are becoming the norm—countries that adopt them reduce costs and emissions faster and improve quality of life.
- EPR is a cornerstone mechanism for sustainable system financing, especially for packaging, plastics and textiles.
- Digitalisation of waste management is becoming a global standard—without data there is no efficient system.
- Multisectoral partnerships (public institutions, private sector, civil society, academia) continue to deliver the most sustainable results.
What this participation means for us
1. Strengthened knowledge and capacities
Insights gained at ISWA 2025 will support us in improving our ongoing and upcoming initiatives related to circular systems, organic waste and innovative resource-management solutions.
2. Building new partnerships
Networking opened doors to cooperation with experts and organisations that can be involved in our future international projects.
3. Preparation for new EU programmes
The knowledge and examples collected in Buenos Aires will be embedded into our work within LIFE, ADRION, IPA CBC and upcoming regional initiatives.
4. Increased international visibility of FORS
Our participation at an event of this scale reinforces the position of FORS Montenegro as a relevant and active organisation in the field of waste management.
Participation in ISWA 2025 World Congress in Buenos Aires represents an important step in implementing Montenegro’s Waste-Management Strategy and advancing circular-economy development nationwide and regionally.
This event was not only an opportunity for learning and networking, but also a platform for shaping concrete actions that will influence our organisation’s future work.
The knowledge, connections and inspiration gained in Buenos Aires will serve as a foundation for new initiatives, partnerships and projects in the coming period. We will now build on these insights to deliver concrete, actionable results.
