Under the patronage of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan and in collaboration with the United Nations (UN), the Zero Waste Movement is bringing the world together once again with the “International Zero Waste Forum” to be held in Istanbul on October 17-18-19, 2025.

Organized by the Zero Waste Foundation, in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat -Habitat, the International Zero Waste Forum, themed “People, Places, Progress” will address joint steps to be taken on a global scale in the areas of environment, sustainability, circular economy, green transformation, waste management, and combating climate change.

Participation from Around the World

The three-day forum will bring together participants from 104 different countries, 118 international partner organizations, mayors, ambassadors, and the United Nations, UN -Habitat, UNEP, and UNDP, will bring together leaders, experts, academics, private sector representatives, civil society organizations, activists, and decision-makers from around the world in Istanbul.

Türkiye's Vision to be Shared with International Participants

High-level state representatives and ministers from Turkiye will also participate in the forum. Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Mr. Murat Kurum, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Mr. İbrahim Yumaklı, Minister of Industry and Technology Mr. Mehmet Fatih Kacır and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar will share Turkiye's vision on sustainable development, zero waste, and environmental policies with international participants.

Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, global pioneer of the Zero Waste Movement and Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, will be the forum's guest of honor and will highlight the strategic importance of environmental awareness in the transformation of people and places.

In addition, Mr. Muhtar Babayev, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues, will share his assessments on regional cooperation, climate diplomacy, and common environmental policies with participants.

Aiming to establish strong synergy between policy and practice, encourage inclusive partnerships, and disseminate practical solutions, the forum will be a platform for discussing ideas that will shape the future of international environmental policies with such broad-based participation. It also aims to strengthen Turkiye''s zero-waste vision on a global scale and make Istanbul the center of the zero-waste movement.

Turkiye''s Leadership Becomes a Global Norm

Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation, emphasized that the forum will reinforce Turkiye''s pioneering position in environmental policies, saying:

"Launched in 2017 under the leadership of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan and now in its eighth year, the Zero Waste Movement is not just an environmental project today, but also a vision for global transformation.

The Zero Waste Movement has now found resonance in 193 countries, with 44 countries incorporating the Zero Waste model into their national strategies. The United Nations' declaration of March 30 as International Zero Waste Day is the most concrete demonstration of Turkiye's leadership in this field being recognized worldwide. This forum, to be held in Istanbul, will create a new roadmap towards the world's sustainable development goals."

Ağırbaş also stated that Turkiye''s achievements in environmental investments, recycling infrastructure, and social awareness efforts will be shared with the international public as a model example throughout the forum.

What Will Happen at the Forum?

Over the course of three days, more than 60 national and international speakers will share their visionary perspectives, experiences, and solution-oriented approaches on topics such as zero waste, circular economy, sustainable production, smart technologies, preventing food waste, textile and retail transformation, and sustainable policies shaping the future of cities.

“Behavior Change: If Minds Change, Systems Change,“ ”Women Leading the Zero Waste Movement,“ ”From Single-Use to Durable Technology,“ ”Smarter Waste: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence,“ and ”Cities Leading the Circular Transformation" are among the forum's featured thematic sessions.

One of the most noteworthy sections of the forum will be the award ceremony titled “Inspiring Names of Circular Successes”. These special awards will be presented to honor individuals and organizations that have successfully created environmental awareness by making the zero-waste concept a way of life. Creative and pioneering approaches, especially those emerging from communities that struggle to make their voices heard, will be highlighted with these awards. In this way, inspiring stories in the field of sustainability will have the opportunity to gain global recognition. The forum will conclude with a closing session themed “Call to Action for the Future.”

A New Global Commitment with the Istanbul Declaration

The “Istanbul Declaration”, to be published at the end of the Forum, will aim to strengthen common environmental policies among countries in line with sustainable development goals, reduce waste production, and transform the zero-waste culture into a global way of life.

This declaration will reinforce Istanbul's position not only as a host city but also as a global center for green transformation.

Forming the Basis for the ‘2026 UN Zero Waste Report’

The outcomes of the International Zero Waste Forum will not only strengthen local commitments but will also directly form the basis for the “Zero Waste Report” to be presented by the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General in 2026.

The Zero Waste Foundation aims to send a powerful message to the world through the forum: Preserving the balance of nature, using resources efficiently, and preventing waste are seen not only as an environmental policy but also as a moral responsibility for humanity. Shaped by this understanding, the International Zero Waste Forum goes beyond environmental awareness and represents a global movement symbolizing the transformation of people, places, and societies towards a future in harmony with nature. The Forum aims to establish a shared environmental vision that extends from the individual to society, from the local to the global, and to create a powerful synergy that guides sustainable development goals.