Who we are
The World Resources Forum (WRF) is a science-based platform to exchange knowledge about the economic, political, social and environmental implications of global resource use. WRF promotes innovation for resource productivity by building bridges among researchers, policymakers, business, NGOs and the public.
Background
The Swiss-based materials research institute and think-tank Empa, part of the prestigious ETH Domain, has with much success organised international conferences on recycling and re-use of resources since 1993. In 2009 Empa together with the Factor 10 Institute decided to broaden the scope of the conferences to include the full life-cycle of products and services. And so the series of conferences became the World Resources Forum, which has attracted high-level politicians and scientists from all over the world. Another strong supporter from the very beginning was the Swiss Academy for Engineering Sciences (SATW).
After the successful 2009 WRF Conference, government and science leaders suggested initiating a WRF Association, an independent entity not only overseeing the organisation of the conferences but also developing activities that optimise the effectiveness of the conferences for the major stakeholders.
Establishment of the World Resources Forum Association
The WRF Association has officially been established on March 16, 2012 with support from a number of governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as the private sector. Influential leaders have joined the effort and Bas de Leeuw (former UNEP) has become Managing Director. If you are interested to become a member of the Association, you will find more information here.
Organisational Chart

Team
The activities of the WRF are coordinated by the WRF Secretariat, based in St. Gallen, Switzerland.
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