Under the leadership of the Zero Waste Foundation, the global pioneer of the Zero Waste Movement and under the patronage of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the United Nations (UN), the “Istanbul Declaration” was published, which constitutes the outcomes of the International Zero Waste Forum.
Istanbul hosted the International Zero Waste Forum, held under the theme “Zero Waste in Action: People. Places. Progress.” from October 17–19, 2025. For three days, experts, academics, policymakers, and civil society representatives from around the world came together to shape a common vision for a sustainable future. The “Zero Waste Istanbul Declaration,” adopted at the end of the forum, went down in history as a new roadmap that will guide global environmental policies.
The New Language of Global Commitment
The Declaration was prepared in full alignment with the principles and values set forth in the United Nations General Assembly resolution “Promoting Zero Waste Initiatives to Advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” Participants emphasized that the zero waste principle is not merely an environmental policy but a transformation of lifestyle, referencing all fundamental international documents ranging from the Paris Agreement to the Basel Convention, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the New Urban Agenda adopted under Habitat III.
The declaration stressed that more decisive steps must be taken at the national and local levels to achieve the 2030 Agenda, particularly Goal 12 – Responsible Production and Consumption. Participants stated that a new production-consumption paradigm, in which resources are used efficiently, biodiversity is protected, and environmental impacts are minimized, is inevitable.
A New Vision for Cities and Communities
In line with the sustainable cities goal of the New Urban Agenda adopted by the United Nations in Quito in 2016, the declaration reaffirmed the importance of settlement models that protect natural resources, reduce carbon footprints, and focus on the circular economy.
At the forum, led by the Zero Waste Foundation, it was emphasized that cities must transform not only through waste management but also through innovative production models, civil society collaborations, and private sector partnerships. Forum participants agreed that “environmental sustainability is an integral part of social welfare.”
Six Action-Oriented Principles
The Istanbul Declaration highlighted six fundamental principles calling on countries and institutions to take action:
1. Maintaining strategic momentum: Creating a roadmap integrated with sustainable development goals and the new urban agenda, in line with Global Zero Waste Initiatives.
2. Strengthening institutional knowledge: National Focal Points taking an active role in monitoring and reporting on policy implementation.
3. Integration with climate action: Accelerating zero waste projects directly linked to Sustainable Development Goals 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15.
4. Smart cities approach: Promoting smart and environmentally friendly urban models in coordination with the UN-Habitat-led “Waste Wise Cities” initiative.
5. International financing and partnerships: Developing new green financing mechanisms with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and other institutions.
6. Inclusive participation: Encouraging active contributions to zero waste policies from civil society, the private sector, and youth-focused initiatives.
In addition to these commitments, the declaration also highlighted priority areas such as strengthening environmental justice, the active participation of women and youth in transformation processes, and the promotion of green technologies and the circular economy.
“Istanbul: The New Center of Global Transformation”
Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation, stated that the Istanbul Declaration is not merely a final document, but also a “manifesto of transformation that redefines humanity's relationship with nature.”
Ağırbaş said, “The world can breathe again with the transformation of human consumption habits. The Istanbul Declaration is a compromise text that will shape the future of international environmental policies. The ideas presented at the forum will directly form the basis of the Zero Waste Report to be presented by the UN Secretary-General in 2026.”
The Center of Transformation: People and Responsibility
The most powerful statement summarizing the spirit of the declaration was a vision of transformation centered on people. Participants emphasized that the zero waste concept is not just a technical process but signifies a fundamental change in the value systems of individuals and societies.
A Shared Commitment from Global to Local
The Zero Waste Istanbul Declaration 2025 is not merely a document; it is seen as a concrete expression of the rising environmental awareness around the world. Guided by the awareness that “every waste has value, every individual has responsibility,” participants reaffirmed a shared commitment at the global level.
Led by the Zero Waste Foundation, this declaration, which reinforces Turkiye's leadership role in environmental policies, symbolizes the beginning of a new era where the zero-waste approach lies at the heart of sustainable development.
Inspiration for the UN 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 UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in 2026.
The Istanbul Declaration, published as a result of the International Zero Waste Forum, was adopted on October 18, 2025, in Istanbul, Turkiye, marking a new milestone in the global zero waste vision.
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 Turkey 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.
