Transition to Zero Waste: Chefchaouen Among the 20 Pioneering Cities Worldwide

The city of Chefchaouen has been ranked among the top 20 cities in the world committed to transitioning to zero waste, an initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Zero Waste, supported by UN-Habitat and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

According to a statement from UNEP, based in Nairobi, the “20 Cities Towards Zero Waste” initiative highlights cities that demonstrate ambitious and innovative approaches to waste reduction, the promotion of circular economy solutions, and the development of more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban systems.

This recognition underscores the commitment of the city of Chefchaouen, like that of the other cities, to implementing a wide range of solutions, including food waste prevention, organic waste management, inclusive recycling models, policies aimed at reducing single-use products, and community engagement initiatives to encourage behavioral change.

At the ceremony presenting these 20 pioneering cities, José Manuel Moller, Vice-Chair of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Zero Waste, emphasized that these cities stand out for their ability to turn ambitions into concrete action, showing that zero waste is neither a distant vision nor merely a communication exercise, but a practical and achievable solution at the local level.

For her part, Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, highly praised the leadership and commitment of the citizens of these cities, their authorities, and the private sector, noting that these cities can inspire communities around the world to accelerate efforts to tackle the pollution and waste crisis.

This initiative directly contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).