The Circular Packaging Association (CPA) and the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) announced in Dubai on 15 September 2026 that they had signed a memorandum of understanding to advance packaging circularity across the UAE and wider GCC.
The agreement establishes cooperation on policy engagement, knowledge exchange, industry advocacy, research, awareness and capacity building. It aims to bring industry perspectives into policy development and improve coordination across the packaging value chain.
Mater Aldhafeeri, GPCA’s secretary general, and Mohamed Ali Eldabaa, CPA’s chairman, signed the memorandum on behalf of their associations.
Potential activities include participation in policy discussions, sharing industry experience and best practices, developing research initiatives, and organising workshops involving businesses, government bodies and other stakeholders.
The associations said their collaboration would focus on practical approaches to circularity that can be expanded and sustained economically. They intend to work with members and stakeholders to support policies, standards and market-based solutions that improve resource efficiency.
Aldhafeeri said: “Collaboration is essential in promoting a circular economy.” He said cooperation between the associations could strengthen industry dialogue, facilitate knowledge sharing and support frameworks addressing sustainability and regional competitiveness.
Eldabaa said: “Advancing packaging circularity requires collaboration across the entire value chain”. He said the partnership would combine industry expertise and support policy discussions grounded in evidence, helping establish conditions for circular solutions to expand across the region.
The memorandum places dialogue between public authorities and industry at the centre of the partnership. Both associations aim to contribute practical input to the development of approaches that support packaging circularity.
Their planned cooperation also includes awareness and skills development, alongside opportunities to connect stakeholders through workshops and other platforms addressing challenges across the packaging value chain.