Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 President Murat Kurum has officially declared Zero Waste Foundation President Samed Ağırbaş as the COP31 High-Level Champion.
Within the scope of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), to be held in Antalya between November 9–20, 2026, a significant appointment has been made to represent Türkiye’s pioneering environmental vision on the international stage.
"This Role Reflects Our Confidence in Samed’s Experience"
In a statement shared via social media, Minister Kurum emphasized the expertise of Samed Ağırbaş in sustainability and climate action:
"At the Climate Summit where we will bring together 197 countries as hosts, I am pleased to share that we have appointed Zero Waste Foundation President Samed Ağırbaş as the COP31 High-Level Champion. This duty is a testament to the trust we place in Samed’s experience and knowledge. I congratulate him and wholeheartedly believe he will make significant contributions to the success of COP31."
This appointment aims to strategically integrate the Zero Waste vision—shaped under the leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, Chairperson of the UN Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste—into the COP31 process.
The Role of the COP31 High-Level Champion
As the High-Level Champion, Samed Ağırbaş will undertake responsibilities in policy development, implementation coordination, and global awareness. The role includes:
- Strategic Representation: Integrating Zero Waste into the core COP31 agenda.
- International Collaborations: Developing multi-stakeholder partnerships between public, private, and civil sectors.
- Content Coordination: Organizing Zero Waste-themed panels, side events, and exhibitions.
- Monitoring: Providing guidance on waste reduction and recovery throughout all stages of the conference organization.
COP31 in Antalya will serve as a global showcase for Türkiye’s holistic approach to climate change, combining environmental and economic dimensions.
