Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, Chair of the United Nations High-Level Advisory Board on Zero Waste and wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, participated in the “Asia-Pacific Zero Waste International Seminar Program” held on the island of Bali, Indonesia, via video message.

The program, of which the Zero Waste Foundation is an official partner, was held with the aim of spreading zero waste awareness in the Asia-Pacific region, strengthening circular economy practices, and encouraging international cooperation. As part of the program, the Zero Waste Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding with global partners, committing to share information, develop joint projects, carry out educational activities, and collaborate in policy processes.

The seminar addressed waste management, circular economy, climate-friendly production models, sustainability practices in local governments, and youth-focused environmental policies. With the memorandum signed, the Zero Waste Foundation committed to developing joint projects in these areas, sharing information and technology, organizing training programs, and playing an active role in policy-making processes.

“Zero Waste Principles Will Guide New Lifestyles”

In her video message to the seminar program, Mrs. Emine Erdoğan stated that zero waste principles will guide new lifestyles based on the accumulated knowledge of civilization, adding, “Only in this way can we build circular cities that are managed according to the principle of efficiency, where waste is reduced and recycling practices are widespread.”

Mrs. Emine Erdoğan said, “We must implement lifestyles based on zero waste principles and drawing on our cultural heritage as soon as possible.”

Noting that the world population is projected to reach 9.7 billion in the next 25 years, with two-thirds of that population living in cities, Mrs. Emine Erdoğan said that currently, more than 2 billion tons of municipal solid waste is produced worldwide each year, and this figure is estimated to reach 3.8 billion tons by 2050.

“A Global Crisis Placing a Heavy Strain on Economies”

Pointing out that this waste burden, which is nearly impossible to manage, poses a threat to human health, increases greenhouse gas emissions, and places a heavy strain on economies, Mrs. Emine Erdoğan stated:

"Moreover, even today, more than 2 billion people lack access to basic waste collection services. This picture clearly shows us that we need a fundamental change to make sustainable and environmentally friendly cities possible. Because cities are mirrors that reflect the spirit and values of societies. When we look at these mirrors today, we see that consumer culture has become the common identity of all societies. That is why we must immediately implement lifestyles based on the principles of zero waste, drawing on our accumulated civilization. Only then can we build circular cities where waste is reduced through efficiency and recycling practices are widespread."

“I believe the seminar will be a platform where new solutions take shape.”

Stating that the root cause of environmental problems lies in the perception of nature as a raw material deposit, Mrs. Emine Erdoğan reminded us that humanity has managed to establish a harmonious relationship with nature throughout history.

Mrs. Emine Erdoğan stated the following:

"Every society has built an environmental ethic within the framework of its own beliefs and civilizational values, and has survived to the extent that it has adapted to nature. This experience has left us with a unique legacy of environmental culture. Now, we must remember this legacy, research local knowledge, protect it, and transform it into a source of wisdom that will guide us in addressing the problems of our time. As the UN Zero Waste Advisory Board, we aim to highlight and disseminate best practices from around the world. I wholeheartedly believe that this meaningful seminar will be a platform where tradition meets science and where new solutions inspired by local memory take shape."

Mrs. Emine Erdoğan also expressed her gratitude to Vijay Jagannathan, Secretary General of CityNet and Member of the UN Zero Waste Advisory Board, for his strong support for the zero waste vision and the leadership he has demonstrated.

Zero Waste Movement

The Zero Waste Movement was launched on September 27, 2017, under the patronage of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan.

On December 14, 2022, at the UN General Assembly, the “Zero Waste” resolution was adopted by vote, with Türkiye as the main sponsor and 105 countries as co-sponsors, and March 30 was declared “International Zero Waste Day.”

Mrs. Emine Erdoğan was the keynote speaker at the first International Zero Waste Day event held in the UN General Assembly Hall on March 30, 2023.

At this event, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced the establishment of the “UN High-Level Advisory Council on Zero Waste” and offered its chairmanship to Mrs. Emine Erdoğan. Mrs. Emine Erdoğan accepted this offer and assumed the chairmanship of the council, which was officially established on April 12, 2023.

As part of the 78th UN General Assembly, an event titled “Towards a Global Zero Waste Movement” was organized at Türkevi in New York under the leadership of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan. At the event, President Erdoğan signed the “Global Zero Waste Goodwill Declaration” as the first signatory.

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