The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Lenovo have formalized a strategic partnership through an exchange of letters, marking a joint effort to accelerate global circular economy initiatives. Together, they will design and implement programs that promote sustainable industrialization and responsible management of electronic products.
The collaboration will leverage both organizations’ expertise and networks to expand access to sustainable technology solutions. Key activities will include skills training, awareness campaigns, and capacity-building projects aimed at advancing circular practices throughout international supply chains.
UNIDO advocates for the circular economy as a transformative alternative to traditional linear production, encouraging practices such as circular design, sustainable manufacturing, reuse, recycling, and material recovery across industries. “We look forward to advancing technical cooperation and capacity-building worldwide,” said Ciyong Zou, Deputy to the Director General and Managing Director of UNIDO’s Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development.
“As the UN’s dedicated agency for industrial growth, collaboration with private-sector leaders like Lenovo is essential. Lenovo’s dedication to sustainable industrialization aligns closely with our vision for circular supply chains in electronics and beyond.”
Lenovo has embedded circular economy principles into its operations, including the use of closed-loop recycled materials in its products and sustainability services that support repair, recycling, and reuse. These measures extend product lifecycles and keep valuable resources in circulation.
A cornerstone of the partnership will be the Global Electronics Management (GEM) programme, backed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). UNIDO leads GEM with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and the UN Development Programme (UNDP). The initiative spans 16 countries, providing access to finance and technology, influencing policy and legislation, and advancing solutions to cut e-waste and improve resource recovery.
“Lenovo is proud to support GEM and collaborate with UNIDO to benefit communities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America,” said Mary Jacques, Executive Director of Global ESG and Regulatory Compliance at Lenovo. “By sharing expertise and connecting stakeholders, we aim to reduce e-waste, lengthen product lifespans, and increase material recovery. Through this partnership, we can scale our circular economy initiatives globally, reaching markets and communities beyond our individual capacity.”
Under this agreement, Lenovo and UNIDO will also host global advisory meetings and events to highlight the role of technology in driving sustainable industrialization. This new phase of cooperation demonstrates both organizations’ shared commitment to building a more sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient future.
The collaboration will leverage both organizations’ expertise and networks to expand access to sustainable technology solutions. Key activities will include skills training, awareness campaigns, and capacity-building projects aimed at advancing circular practices throughout international supply chains.
UNIDO advocates for the circular economy as a transformative alternative to traditional linear production, encouraging practices such as circular design, sustainable manufacturing, reuse, recycling, and material recovery across industries. “We look forward to advancing technical cooperation and capacity-building worldwide,” said Ciyong Zou, Deputy to the Director General and Managing Director of UNIDO’s Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development.
“As the UN’s dedicated agency for industrial growth, collaboration with private-sector leaders like Lenovo is essential. Lenovo’s dedication to sustainable industrialization aligns closely with our vision for circular supply chains in electronics and beyond.”
Lenovo has embedded circular economy principles into its operations, including the use of closed-loop recycled materials in its products and sustainability services that support repair, recycling, and reuse. These measures extend product lifecycles and keep valuable resources in circulation.
A cornerstone of the partnership will be the Global Electronics Management (GEM) programme, backed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). UNIDO leads GEM with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and the UN Development Programme (UNDP). The initiative spans 16 countries, providing access to finance and technology, influencing policy and legislation, and advancing solutions to cut e-waste and improve resource recovery.
“Lenovo is proud to support GEM and collaborate with UNIDO to benefit communities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America,” said Mary Jacques, Executive Director of Global ESG and Regulatory Compliance at Lenovo. “By sharing expertise and connecting stakeholders, we aim to reduce e-waste, lengthen product lifespans, and increase material recovery. Through this partnership, we can scale our circular economy initiatives globally, reaching markets and communities beyond our individual capacity.”
Under this agreement, Lenovo and UNIDO will also host global advisory meetings and events to highlight the role of technology in driving sustainable industrialization. This new phase of cooperation demonstrates both organizations’ shared commitment to building a more sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient future.