The UNWASTED Forum was held in Opatija over the weekend, bringing together experts and stakeholders to explore concrete solutions for sustainable transition across sectors. The event focused on topics such as circular economy, sustainable tourism, and innovations in the textile industry.
UNWASTED Forum Brings Together Key Stakeholders in Opatija
Held in Opatija, the UNWASTED Forum brought together experts, innovators, and key public and private stakeholders to share and implement sustainable solutions across various industries. The event, organized by Dina Dragija and Kristina Burja of the Youth Leadership Network, focused on the circular economy, sustainable tourism, and innovations in the textile industry.
Sustainable Tourism as a Model for the Future
During a panel on sustainable tourism, Andreja Vukojević, Director of the Tourism Sector and Marketing and Communications Service at the Croatian Chamber of Economy (HGK), emphasized the importance of premium tourism based on authenticity and quality, warning that tourism must adopt sustainable models to remain viable. She presented the Stories – Experience Premium Croatia platform as an example of this approach.
UNWASTED Prize Awarded to EURATEX
In partnership with HGK and the Italian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce, the forum awarded the UNWASTED Prize to the European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX). The award was accepted by Ekaterina Stoyanova, who stressed the need for collaborative EU-level policies to support a circular and competitive textile industry.
Textile Industry’s Role in the EU Green Agenda
Jagoda Divić, from HGK’s Sector for Industry and Sustainable Development, highlighted HGK’s commitment to sustainability as a strategic business priority and noted that the textile and fashion industries are central to achieving the EU’s green goals, particularly given the environmental impact of fast fashion.
Photo credits: Mislav Mesek
