The Istanbul Declaration, created as a result of the International Zero Waste Forum, was announced to the public for the first time via the Zero Waste Foundation's Turkiye-based social media platform NSosyal account. The declaration, which will guide global environmental policies, has taken its place in the digital ecosystem to share the outcomes of the International Zero Waste Forum with the world.
Under the leadership of the Zero Waste Foundation, the global pioneer of the Zero Waste Movement and Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, the outcomes of the International Zero Waste Forum, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, and the United Nations (UN), the “Istanbul Declaration”, which constitutes the outcomes of the International Zero Waste Forum, has been published on the foundation's NSosyal account.
Held for the first time this year in Istanbul between October 17 and 19, 2025, and focusing on the harmony between people, place, and nature, the International Zero Waste Forum has become an important global platform for the convergence of efforts worldwide on sustainability, circular economy, and climate-friendly policies.
Global Policies and Strategies Discussed
At the International Zero Waste Forum, attended by more than 60 speakers, over 100 country representatives, 118 institutions and organizations, as well as United Nations officials, representatives from the public and private sectors, academia, local governments, and civil society discussed policies and strategies that could be implemented globally in the field of zero waste.
The “Istanbul Declaration,” which aims to strengthen common environmental policies among countries in line with sustainable development goals, reduce waste generation, and transform the Zero Waste concept into a global lifestyle, was shared with the public for the first time on the Zero Waste Foundation's Turkiye-based social media platform NSosyal following the forum.
The Istanbul Declaration Will Promote Zero Waste Initiatives on a Global Scale
Adopted at the forum held under the theme “People. Places. Progress.” the Istanbul Declaration aims to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and promote zero waste initiatives globally, in line with United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/77/161.
Form a Basis for 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 the city of Istanbul, Republic of 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 Turkiye 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 its chairmanship to 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.
