More than 1000 participants assisted to the World Resources Forum (WRF) that took place in Arequipa, Peru, from October 19-22, 2014. Among the participants were opinion leaders, private companies, politicians and academic and scientific centers that are very well known by their global contribution to the sustainable development. Some of the topics discussed in the plenary sessions, workshops and scientific sessions held during this 3-day forum were: innovation, resource efficiency and low carbon emissions.

The Department of Sustainable Development of the OAS joined forces with the Regional Platform LEDS-LAC, the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA) and the Center for Eco-efficiency and Social Responsibility (CER), strategic allies of the CLCPA Program to showcase during two interactive workshops on 21 and 22 October the Closed Looped Cycle Production Projects that are being carried out under the Program

The first day of the CLCPA workshop was attended by over 60 participants. This workshop included international speakers as well as national. The OAS representative in Peru Mr. Pablo Zuñiga, was responsible for opening the workshop and discussed the ongoing work of the OAS in the areas of Sustainable Development. Mr. Marcos Alegre, Director of the Center for Eco-efficiency and Social Responsibility (CER), gave to the audience a Peruvian perspective about the implementation of eco-efficient projects. Mr. Ken Alston, CEO of McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) explained the design concept of Cradle to Cradle that seeks to direct the efforts of the public and private sectors to transition towards a circular economy with a particular focus on eco-effectiveness of the products. The technical advisor of the CLCPA Program, Eng. Ruben Contreras, described the relationship between the program objectives and the paradigm shift that was intended to achieve through the workshops. He also highlighted the relationship between Closed Looped Cycle Production, Eco-efficiency and Cradle to Cradle. The CLCPA Program Manager, Eng. Kevin de Cuba, moderated an interactive Q&A session at the end of the workshop. An enthusiasm and interest was noted among the participants to understand the difference between eco-efficiency and eco-effectiveness

The CLCPA partners that contributed to the development of the Program participated during the second CLCPA workshop on 22 October. The welcome remarks were provided by Mrs. Aída Figari, Chief of Libélula Projects and member of the Secretariat of the Regional Platform LEDS LAC. Mrs. Figari conceptualized the importance of applying methods and concepts of Closed Looped Cycle Production as appropriate tools for the development the industrial sector of the region with low emissions. The Eng. Ruben Contreras presented the current projects and the first pilot project of the CLCPA Program. Through the first pilot project of the Program, the company Alimentos S.A achieved the first Cradle to Cradle basic level certification for a packaging product in Latin America and the Caribbean.Gloria Restrepo from the National Cleaner Production Centre of Colombia shared the experience of the centre on performing technical studies for the CLCPA projects in Colombia and Trinidad and Tobago.

After sharing the experience of the strategic partners in the different countries where the program is being executed, Mrs. Lourdes Fernández from CER provided an overview of the current situation in Peru and presented business models that could contribute towards a circular economy. Mrs. Fernandez stressed that there are opportunities in Peru and appropriate conditions to carry out programs such as the CLCPA that seeks to produce products on sustainable ways.The audience had the opportunity to ask questions to the speakers and learn more about implementation of this project proposed by the OAS.

By promoting programs such as the Closed Cycle Production in the Americas funded by the United States, the OAS aims to demonstrate the feasibility and applicability of innovative Closed Looped Cycle Production methodologies in the region countries to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the enterprises and facilitate the transition towards a Circular Economy. During the World Resources Forum the CLCPA of the OAS had a stand which was visited by more than 250 people. The visitors asked information and questions related to the CLCPA Program to the Engineers Kevin de Cuba, Ruben Contreras and Gloria Restrepo.