The Zero Waste Foundation and the COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Office held intense meeting traffic regarding the 31st Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at the 13th Global Baku Forum held in Azerbaijan.
At the 13th Global Baku Forum in Azerbaijan, high-level and highly comprehensive meetings were held regarding the process of the 31st Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which will be hosted in Türkiye on November 9-20, 2026. Zero Waste Foundation President and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş also participated in many bilateral and inter-delegation meetings.
During the meetings, the current activities of the Zero Waste Foundation, Türkiye's COP31 journey, and preparations for the road to Antalya were discussed comprehensively.
Making a statement regarding the 13th Global Baku Forum held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, on March 12-14, 2026, Zero Waste Foundation President and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş said, "We delivered our speeches at the closing program of the 13th Global Baku Forum held in Azerbaijan. At the forum, which was highly productive for our climate diplomacy and COP31 journey; we shared our experiences on the zero waste agenda, and signed new strategic collaborations within the scope of the High-Level Climate Champion vision. I express my gratitude to everyone who contributed to this process enriched by the ideas of civil society and youth."
Meeting first with UN-Habitat Executive Director Ms. Anacláudia Rossbach, Ağırbaş said, "As the High-Level Climate Champion, we continue to make international cooperation and inclusive solutions our priority in our COP31 journey."
Kurum and Ağırbaş Met with Azerbaijani Prime Minister Asadov
Attending a meeting with Azerbaijani Prime Minister Mr. Ali Asadov alongside Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 President Mr. Murat Kurum, Ağırbaş said they also came together with COP29 President Mr. Mukhtar Babayev and COP29 High-Level Climate Champion Ms. Nigar Arpadarai to discuss experiences from past COPs.
Regarding the meeting held with Asadov, Minister Kurum stated, "We consulted on our ongoing works in the fields of both environment and urbanization with friendly and brotherly Azerbaijan, and exchanged views on the COP31 Climate Summit process. We fully believe that we will further strengthen our cooperation with Azerbaijan with the responsibility brought by COP31 and our 2053 Net Zero vision."
Memorandum on Strategic Cooperation with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation
Paying a visit to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Ağırbaş stated, "We agreed with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation to make strategic cooperation across a wide spectrum, including the Zero Waste Forum and COP31 preparations. With this strong partnership, we aim to collaboratively protect our Common Home, the Earth, and leave a beautiful legacy for the future."
"No Solution Without Civil Society and the Public as Subjects Can Be Permanent"
Ağırbaş also came together with non-governmental organizations within the scope of the 13th Global Baku Forum. Emphasizing his goal to build a bridge between Türkiye and Azerbaijan in his speech here, Ağırbaş made the following statements:
"We believe that no solution where civil society and the public are not the subjects will be permanent. With this belief, we are working on the road to COP31 for a participatory climate diplomacy where not only technical decisions but the voices of all segments of society are heard.
After I was announced as the COP31 High-Level Climate Champion, my teammates and I prepared a good roadmap. We decided to hold consultation meetings primarily in the 7 regions of the world and the 81 provinces of Türkiye. Because we believe that a program or a study you conduct without the support of societies and peoples will not have a counterpart in the public."
Met with Students in Baku
As part of his contacts in Baku, Ağırbaş later attended a talk on the "Future of the Climate" with students from ADA University (Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy). Stating that they emphasized youth are the most critical actors in the future of our common home, the Earth, Ağırbaş stated, "We promised as the COP31 High-Level Climate Champion: Together, we will build a COP31 where young people are not just listeners, but play a key role in decision-making processes."
Within the scope of the forum, Ağırbaş also came together with UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary-General Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, Member of the UK House of Lords Ms. Patricia Scotland, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan Mr. Anar Guliyev, representatives of the NAM Youth Organization (NAMYO), and the Advisory Board of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC).
Stating that they held a productive meeting with Grynspan within the scope of COP31, Ağırbaş noted that as the High-Level Climate Champion, they discussed the expansion of zero waste practices, the transition process to a circular economy, and the financing mechanisms needed for sustainability.
While common goals were discussed with UK House of Lords Member Scotland, the awareness to be created at London Climate Action Week and the active integration of non-governmental organizations into COP31 decision-making processes were discussed.
In the meeting he held with Anar Guliyev, Ağırbaş discussed the preparations for the World Urban Forum (WUF) to be held in Baku.
Expanding and continuing its contacts on the ground regarding the COP31 process, the Zero Waste Foundation and the COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Office aim for the summit in Antalya to leave permanent marks on global climate action with broad-based participation.
Continuing its work with the vision of the Founder of the Zero Waste Movement, Chairperson of the United Nations Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste, and Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, First Lady Emine Erdoğan; the Foundation continues its preparations by addressing the ideas of all non-state actors from a broad perspective during the COP31 process.
