The COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Office and United Nations Türkiye held a comprehensive meeting in Ankara with the participation of ministry representatives and UN agencies to strengthen coordination regarding the COP31 process.
Continuing its works under the vision and auspices of the Founder of the Zero Waste Movement, Chair of the UN Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste, and Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, First Lady Emine Erdoğan, the Zero Waste Foundation and the COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Office continue to intensify their contacts with national and international stakeholders in preparation for COP31.
In this context, the meeting held in Ankara on March 9, 2026, was organized under the coordination of the COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Office and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT).
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Zero Waste Foundation and the COP31 High-Level Climate Champion, as well as the United Nations Türkiye team, representatives of relevant ministries, and officials from UN agencies.
With the participation of Zero Waste Foundation President and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş, areas of cooperation were evaluated under headings such as the expansion of the zero waste approach, circular economy models, sustainable food systems, and inclusive climate policies. Additionally, views were exchanged on strengthening coordination between international institutions and stakeholders in the lead-up to COP31.
"COPs Should Not Be Seen Only as Diplomatic Platforms"
Evaluating the meeting, COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş stated that climate summits should not be seen merely as intergovernmental diplomatic platforms.
Emphasizing that COP31 should be a transformation process encompassing all segments of society, Ağırbaş expressed that it is among their priorities for youth and non-governmental organizations to take a more visible and active role in climate action.
"Our Goal is Common Sense and Concrete Action"
Drawing attention to the importance of multi-stakeholder cooperation in the preparation process for COP31, Ağırbaş made the following evaluation:
"Our main priority during the COP31 process is to bring together the knowledge and experience of different institutions on common ground and transform these collaborations into concrete actions. This meeting we held with our ministries and United Nations agencies has been an important step towards strengthening inclusive climate policies."
Speaking at the opening of the meeting, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Türkiye Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi stated that climate goals should not remain limited to commitments and drew attention to the importance of implementation-oriented results.
Expressing that since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, the global climate agenda has increasingly focused on implementation, scaling, and measurable impact, Ahonsi emphasized that COP31 offers an important opportunity to accelerate human-centered climate actions.
Ahonsi also stated that the United Nations Türkiye system is ready to contribute to the COP31 process with a holistic approach.
The more robust integration of United Nations agencies into COP31 preparations and increasing the contribution of civil society to decision-making processes were also among the topics discussed at the meeting.
International Contacts Continue in the COP31 Process
The diplomatic contacts carried out within the scope of COP31 preparations also contribute to the strengthening of international collaborations.
In this context, Zero Waste Foundation President and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş met with the Ambassador of Australia to Ankara, Ms. Sally-Anne Vincent, and exchanged views on COP processes. During the meeting, possible collaborations that could be established with non-governmental organizations and climate stakeholders in Australia were evaluated.
Furthermore, in his meeting with Mr. Kaveh Zahedi, Director of the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Ağırbaş made evaluations on the sustainable management of natural resources, reduction of food loss and waste, protection of biodiversity, and the strategic role FAO can play in this process.
Ağırbaş stated that collaborations carried out with international organizations will make significant contributions to the strengthening of climate action during the COP31 process.
The Global Cooperation Network for COP31 is Expanding
During the meetings and contacts, attention was also drawn to the role of the Zero Waste Foundation in developing circular economy solutions and expanding the global cooperation network for COP31.
In this context, the Zero Waste Forum, planned to be held in June, is expected to be an important meeting platform on an international scale within the framework of COP31 preparations.
Continuing its works under the auspices of the Founder of the Zero Waste Movement, Chair of the UN Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste, and Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, First Lady Emine Erdoğan; the Zero Waste Foundation encourages international collaborations in line with the goals of responsible use of resources, strengthening the circular economy approach, and leaving a more livable world to future generations.
The Foundation aims not only to develop technical solutions in the fight against the climate crisis but also to support a cultural transformation encompassing all segments of society.
The international collaborations and multi-stakeholder initiatives to be developed during the COP31 process are considered among the important steps that will contribute to the widespread adoption of this transformation on a global scale.
