Organized by the Zero Waste Foundation, under the patronage of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, global pioneer of the Zero Waste Movement and Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the International Zero Waste Forum kicked off in Istanbul this year with the theme “People, Places, Progress.”
The Zero Waste Movement, carried out under the patronage of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and in cooperation with the UN, brought the world together at the forum.
The opening ceremony of the International Zero Waste Forum, organized by the Zero Waste Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and UN-Habitat under the theme "People. Places. Progress." was held. The opening ceremony of the International Zero Waste Forum was attended by the global pioneer of the Zero Waste Movement and Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, Azerbaijan's Special Representative for Climate Issues, Muhtar Babayev, Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Murat Kurum, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, UN-Habitat Executive Director Ana Claudia Rossbach, UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean, and Zero Waste Foundation President Samed Ağırbaş.
The forum, held under the theme “Zero Waste in Action: People. Places. Progress.” addressed joint steps to be taken on a global scale in the areas of the environment, sustainability, circular economy, green transformation, waste management, and combating climate change.
The three-day forum was attended by participants from 104 different countries, 118 international partner organizations, mayors, ambassadors, and high-level representatives from international organizations such as the UN, UNEP, and UNDP, as well as leaders, experts, academics, private sector representatives, and civil society organizations from around the world. -Habitat, UNEP, and the UN Development Program (UNDP), as well as leaders, experts, academics, private sector representatives, civil society organizations, activists, and decision-makers from around the world.
The global pioneer of the Zero Waste in Action and Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, attended the program as a guest of honor and expressed the strategic importance of environmental awareness in the transformation of people and places.
The program began with a video presentation about the forum and continued with a video featuring Mrs. Emine Erdoğan's call to humanity. The three-day forum will feature 'Behavior Change: If Minds Change, Systems Change', ‘Women Leading the Zero Waste in Action’, ‘From Single-Use to Durable Technology’, ‘Smarter Waste: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence’, and ‘Cities Leading the Circular Transformation’. With this year's theme of ‘Human, Space, Transformation’, the forum focused on transformation processes at the intersection of the environment, economy, and society, encouraging a rethinking of humanity's relationship with nature. Following the speeches, gifts were presented, and Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation, presented the work titled ‘Yusuf's Shirt,’ inspired by zero waste, to Mrs. Emine Erdoğan.
“Be the Change You Want to See in the World”
Speaking at the forum, Mrs. Emine Erdoğan said, "There is a famous saying: ‘Be the change you want to see in the world.’ However, when humanity arrived at this century, it became the very thing that needed to be changed, rather than the change itself. Instead of transitioning to circular consumption models, it has turned into a consumer society. With its own hands, it has built a world woven with false needs and artificial happiness. It has drifted from ‘I think, therefore I am’ to ‘I consume, therefore I am.’ Today, we are on the verge of a great transformation, not despair. Zero waste is the name of a brand new era in which we generate hope. I sometimes hear criticism that it is difficult to implement the zero waste lifestyle. I would like to emphasize that we need millions of people who are determined to take small steps, who turn their household organic waste into fertilizer by composting, who don't hesitate to take their leftovers from restaurants home with them, who turn off their electrical appliances instead of leaving them on standby, in short, millions of people who, without saying, ‘Am I going to save the world?’, strive to do what they can for the good of humanity,“ he said.
”As Türkiye, We Are Working with All Our Might to Be Part of the Solution”
Erdoğan stated, "I am proud to say that, as Türkiye, despite our very low contribution to the climate crisis, we are working with all our might to be part of the solution. The Zero Waste in Action we launched in Türkiye in 2017 is the clearest indicator of this goal. At the beginning of this year, we increased our recycling rate from 13 percent to 36 percent. To date, we have recycled 74.5 million tons of waste. We have generated 256 billion lira in revenue for our economy. Under the ‘Zero Waste Blue Movement,’ we have collected approximately 285,000 tons of marine litter. As a country that does not stand idly by in the face of any crisis in the world, we consider it our responsibility to humanity to be part of the solution to the environmental crisis. This agreement among countries was a very meaningful example of the spirit of solidarity within the human family on environmental issues. As a result of this decision, March 30 was declared International Zero Waste Day worldwide, and the United Nations Zero Waste Advisory Council was established under the chairmanship of the United Nations Secretary-General and myself. Since 2023, we have been working with our advisory board to highlight the best zero waste practices around the world, promote their implementation, and raise awareness. I am happy to say that we have come a long way," he said.
“I Believe That Our Beautiful Istanbul Will Become the Capital of Zero Waste”
Erdoğan, "We established the Zero Waste Foundation in Türkiye with the aim of making it the center of global zero waste efforts in 2023. Our foundation is providing the strongest support to the activities of our advisory board with great enthusiasm and high energy. Within our foundation, we established the Zero Waste Institute, an international center for sharing best practices and policies in the field of zero waste. We also announced our Global Zero Waste Awards project in New York during the celebrations on March 30. We have taken the necessary steps for the United Nations Habitat, which runs our board's secretariat with great dedication, to open a regional office in Türkiye. I believe that our beautiful city of Istanbul will become the capital of zero waste, and the foundations for a sustainable future will be laid here, hopefully," he said.
“While Israel was committing the most brutal genocide in history in Gaza, it was also committing ‘ecocide’”
Madam Emine Erdoğan, "In the fight against climate change, topics such as municipal waste, plastic pollution, and linear production and consumption have generally been on the agenda until now. However, today we must talk most about the damage wars cause to the environment, the deep scars they leave on the earth. We must explain how wars have set back our gains in the fight against climate change to square one. The most painful example of this is happening today in Palestine. While Israel was committing the most brutal genocide in history in Gaza, it also committed ‘ecocide’. The destruction in Gaza left behind 61 million tons of debris, which may take a century to recycle. Ninety-seven percent of tree crops, 82 percent of annual crops, and 95 percent of shrubbery areas were destroyed," she said.
“The Environment Lost in Gaza Belongs to All of Humanity”
Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, "Soil contamination from ammunition, solid waste, and untreated sewage has made food production impossible. There is no place left for people to live, no areas for animals to graze, no environment for birds and aquatic life to inhabit. So let us underline this fact in bold: as long as wars continue, we cannot heal nature's wounds. We cannot ensure intergenerational justice. The environment destroyed in Gaza belongs to all of humanity. Wars, extinct species, drying lakes, and expanding deserts happening on the other side of the world, perhaps thousands of miles away from us, are actually right next door. Because the ecosystem is a whole. Gaza's barren lands extend to us as well. Water and food shortages on another continent also impoverish our tables. That is why the zero waste movement means global conscience. The more we expand this map of conscience, the more we can establish a world where no one is left behind," he said.
In his speech, Zero Waste Foundation President Samed Ağırbaş said that participants from 108 countries gathered under the same roof under the title "People. Places. Progress.”
Ağırbaş said, "The Zero Waste movement, which began as an idea under the patronage of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan in 2017, has now become not just an environmental initiative but a global awareness movement embraced by hundreds of countries. We see zero waste not just as an environmental policy but as a philosophy about the essence of life. We know that changing the system is only possible by changing mindsets. We can only achieve this together.“ he said.
"The Solution Starts with Drawing the Right Roadmap"
Stating that zero waste redefines the value of waste, Samed Ağırbaş said, ”It is not about protecting nature, but reconnecting with nature. In the words of the esteemed lady, we now need new discourses, new narratives, and a new awakening. We must focus on priorities, not problems. The solution begins with drawing the right roadmap. That roadmap is possible through a fair relationship between humans and nature," he said.
“The Issue Is Not Individual, It Is About the Collective Conscience Taking Action”
Emphasizing that the Zero Waste Forum is a reflection of this awareness, Ağırbaş continued:
"This forum is a collective call that brings us all together with equal responsibility for the future of the world. Because this movement is the struggle of those who have made living and sustaining life their principle. The issue is no longer individual behavior, but the mobilization of a shared conscience, a shared awareness. Today, with the theme of ‘People. Places. Progress.,’ we are gathering with you from all corners of the world on a common ground of goodness. We know that every idea that emerges from this forum will be a seed of awareness that will initiate change for the future. Every contribution is a spark of new thought that will shape tomorrow's world.“
”Zero Waste is the Will to Protect Life“
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı said, ”Our gathering here today is not only a reflection of environmental awareness but also of humanity's shared conscience. Because zero waste is actually the will to protect life, nature, and humanity. Waste has never been tolerated in our culture. We are integrating this understanding into our agricultural policies, education projects, food industry, and water management today,“ he said.
”Zero Waste is the Key to a Sustainable World"
Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum said, "In the 21st century, our world and humanity have, so to speak, reached the limits of even unlimited consumption. Zero Waste is the key to a sustainable world. Here, zero waste, together with adaptation, is the greatest force that will enable adaptation to climate change. With this movement, we are not only reducing waste. We are creating a global awareness in this sense to protect our shared home, the world," he said.
Muhtar Babayev, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues, expressed his pleasure at attending the International Zero Waste Forum and thanked those who contributed to it.
Babayev said that the leadership and determination of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, had elevated the Zero Waste Movement to a global level, noting that the Zero Waste Movement was a symbol of the future generation and shared values.
Babayev emphasized his country's appreciation for Türkiye''s leadership and global influence, stating, “Turkey is not only a pioneer but also a country that guides the world.”
Babayev pointed out that his country's participation in the “Zero Waste Goodwill Declaration” is the greatest demonstration of being part of an important global initiative and moving towards a clean future. “The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation have also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Zero Waste Foundation to develop in the areas of waste management, awareness raising, and innovation.” he said.
Recalling COP29, held last year in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, Babayev said, “Here, we once again emphasized the importance of waste management and reducing emissions.”
Noting that he sees the Forum as an opportunity, Babayev commented, “Türkiye''s leadership is very important in this regard. We are moving forward under their guidance and leadership. We need to work together for a greener world.”
UN-Habitat Regional Office Opens in Istanbul
UN-Habitat Executive Director Ana Claudia Rossbach pointed out that we have now reached a critical threshold, stating, “Cities continue to grow at an unprecedented rate, and resources are already under increasing pressure.”
Noting that these burdens are not shared equally by everyone, Rossbach pointed out that they disproportionately affect the most vulnerable and fragile communities.
Rossbach emphasized that she greatly appreciates the zero waste solutions developed so far and pointed out that steps to be taken in the 2026-2029 period regarding urbanization and public housing must focus on waste management in order to achieve economic transformation and inclusive urban well-being.
Pointing out that transformation must be inclusive to be beneficial, Rossbach said, “Zero waste is not a dream. It is real and scalable.”
Announcing the opening of UN-Habitat's regional office in Istanbul, Rossbach said, “Through our office in Istanbul, which is now operational, we will continue to focus on zero waste solutions and intensify our work on the circular economy.”
Noting that they aim to accelerate cooperation between Eastern European and Central Asian countries, Rossbach said, “We aim to develop our relationships with governments, cities, civil society organizations, and the private sector, and we are ready to take any necessary steps to ensure that circular solutions are equally accessible to all stakeholders.”
More consumers are turning to sustainable alternatives
UN ECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean also expressed her great pleasure at being here on behalf of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Molcean pointed out that, according to the Global Waste Management Report, if no action is taken now, urban waste will increase by two-thirds by 2050, and she highlighted the inadequacy of recycling efforts.
Molcean recalled that during discussions with UN member states, some internationally binding rules on plastics were put forward but no agreement was reached.
Stating that she has not lost hope, Molcean noted that more consumers are now trying to turn to sustainable alternatives and that producers are also developing action plans in this regard.
Molcean emphasized the importance of the projects and work they have implemented, saying, “What we need to do is work together, combine our efforts, and work together.”
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”.
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 Emine Erdoğan the chairmanship. 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 in Action” was held 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.
