The Zero Waste Forum 2026 concluded with a gala program held in Istanbul. Speaking at the closing of the Forum, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the mission undertaken by the Zero Waste Forum in the process leading up to the COP31 Conference of the Parties is very valuable, expressing that the Zero Waste Movement has today transformed into a global environmental mobilization accepted by the United Nations.
Organized under the auspices of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, Founder of the Zero Waste Movement, Chair of the United Nations Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste, and Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, the Forum brought together leaders from 183 countries, decision-makers, representatives of international organizations, academics, local governments, youth, private sector representatives, and non-governmental organizations in Istanbul for three days.
The closing of the Zero Waste Forum, held with the theme "Road to Antalya: Climate Action", was realized with a gala program attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, First Lady Emine Erdoğan, ministers, parliament members, President of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş, and numerous national and international guests.
"Zero Waste Forum Became an Important Platform Strengthening Global Cooperation"
Speaking at the program, President Erdoğan expressed his satisfaction with Istanbul hosting such a comprehensive international organization as the meeting point of civilizations.
Stating that the forum has become an important platform strengthening global cooperation in the field of environment and climate, Erdoğan said that critical topics such as the circular economy, resource efficiency, climate-friendly production models, transforming waste into economic value, and sustainable development were discussed for three days.
President Erdoğan thanked all institutions and organizations, especially the Zero Waste Foundation, who contributed to the realization of the organization.
"A Gathering Showing Türkiye's Power in Environmental Diplomacy"
Drawing attention to the international scale reached by the Zero Waste Forum, President Erdoğan expressed that the gathering of participants from 183 countries, over 120 ministers, more than 200 mayors, and over 500 international stakeholders on the same platform is a significant indicator of the level Türkiye has reached in environmental diplomacy.
Erdoğan evaluated, "This forum, attended by more than 5,000 participants ranging from youth organizations to private sector institutions, from civil society to policy makers, and from academics to decision-makers, is a clear indicator of the high level Türkiye has reached in environmental diplomacy."
"Concrete, Implementable, and Measurable Solutions Came to the Fore"
Emphasizing that the Zero Waste Forum is not merely a platform where problems are discussed, President Erdoğan noted that the forum focuses on concrete, implementable, and measurable solution proposals.
Expressing that the ideas emerging in line with combating climate change, protecting natural resources, and sustainable development goals will contribute to global environmental policies, Erdoğan said that the forum has strong potential to yield greater results in the future.
"The Mission of the Forum on the Road to COP31 is Very Valuable"
Drawing attention to the importance carried by the Zero Waste Forum prior to the COP31 Conference of the Parties to be hosted by Türkiye in Antalya, President Erdoğan noted the following:
"The mission undertaken by the forum on the road to the COP31 Conference of the Parties is very, very valuable. The determination of the theme 'Road to Antalya: Climate Action' was highly appropriate. I believe that the ideas, proposals, and joint efforts emerging here will provide strong contributions to the COP31 process."
"The Zero Waste Approach Transformed into a Global Vision"
In his speech at the closing program, Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion, drew attention to the global impact demonstrated by the forum.
Expressing that the Zero Waste Forum, attended by more than 5,000 participants from 183 countries, shows that the zero waste approach is no longer merely an environmental policy but has transformed into a global vision regarding the common future of humanity, Ağırbaş said that President Erdoğan's vision of a fairer world inspires their work.
Stating that the Zero Waste Movement, growing under the leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, has crossed Türkiye's borders and turned into a global transformation model, Ağırbaş emphasized that the joint will set forth within the scope of the forum will contribute to international climate processes, primarily COP31.
Ağırbaş also stated that the Zero Waste Istanbul Criteria, which will be shared with the public within the scope of the forum, will constitute an important reference framework in terms of protecting resources, reducing waste, and strengthening sustainable development.
Zero Waste Vision Extending from Istanbul to the World
At the closing gala of the Zero Waste Forum, a special video screening explaining the global journey of the Zero Waste Movement and the vision of the forum was held.
The Zero Waste Movement, which started in 2017 under the pioneering of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, has today become a global transformation model recognized by the United Nations, uniting countries around common environmental goals.
The Zero Waste Forum 2026, which brought together the topics of resource efficiency, circular economy, climate action, and sustainable development under the same roof, concluded as an international platform that strengthens the call for global cooperation rising from Istanbul and provides a significant contribution to the COP31 process.
