Addressing world leaders at the 81st United Nations (UN) General Assembly, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan presented Türkiye's approach to COP31, which Türkiye will host in Antalya in November, and drew attention to the role of the Zero Waste Movement in global climate action.
President Erdoğan emphasized the goal of COP31 to be a "COP of Implementation" where climate justice is strengthened, financing commitments are realized, technology transfer is accelerated, and internationally made promises are turned into concrete practices. While inviting world leaders to COP31 in Antalya, Erdoğan stated that the Zero Waste Movement offers a strong approach that brings together different policy areas in the fight against the climate crisis.
During his address in New York as part of the UN General Assembly, President Erdoğan made evaluations regarding Türkiye's COP31 Presidency process, recalling that the Zero Waste Movement was launched in 2017 under the leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan—Founder of the Zero Waste Movement, Chairperson of the UN Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste, and Honorary Chairperson of the Zero Waste Foundation. Erdoğan expressed that over the past period, the Zero Waste Movement has transcended Türkiye's borders and transformed into a global awareness mobilization.
Global Cooperation for a "COP of Implementation" in Antalya
Stating that Türkiye aims to strengthen the implementation dimension of climate action under its COP31 Presidency, President Erdoğan emphasized that the summit must contribute to concrete progress, especially in the areas of climate justice, climate finance, and technology transfer.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (President of the Republic of Türkiye)
"We will host the COP31 summit in Antalya this November. We will ensure that climate justice is particularly highlighted at the summit. With the partnership we have developed with Australia, COP31 will bring about a unity where financing commitments are fulfilled, technology transfer is accelerated, and promises turn into concrete steps, uniting the entire world."
"The Zero Waste Movement is the Strongest Bridge Where All These Paths Converge"
In his speech, President Erdoğan also highlighted the Zero Waste Movement as a topic closely connected to the climate action approach of COP31.
Drawing attention to the inception of the Zero Waste Movement and the point it has reached on a global scale, Erdoğan stated that the movement brings together different solution areas in the fight against the climate crisis and called on world leaders to contribute to the COP31 process.
"The Zero Waste Movement, initiated in 2017 by my wife Emine Erdoğan by declaring 'The world is our common home,' has since turned into a global awareness mobilization. It is a fact that there are undoubtedly many paths in the fight against the climate crisis. The Zero Waste Movement is the strongest bridge where all these paths converge. I believe that with your support, this bridge will grow even stronger."
Food Waste and Climate Action Must Be Addressed Together
In his address to the UN General Assembly, President Erdoğan also drew attention to the risks posed on a global scale by the spread of consumption culture and squander.
Stating that waste is not merely an economic loss but must be evaluated together with its food security and justice dimensions, Erdoğan expressed that Türkiye is ready to contribute to efforts aimed at preventing waste and strengthening global food security.
"The Spread of the Culture of Waste Alongside Greed for Consumption is a Great Danger"
"Every year, 5.8 trillion plates of food go to waste around the world. That means over 2 billion tons of food are wasted. In a world where tons of food are thrown away on one side while hundreds of millions of people scavenge for food from the garbage on the other, one cannot speak of justice.
As Türkiye, we are ready to make every contribution to efforts both to prevent waste and to ensure global food security. With this understanding, we have nominated Dr. Mehmet Mehdi Eker for the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. I believe you will not withhold your support."
Samed Ağırbaş: "Our President's Determined Will is a Strategic Asset"
Zero Waste Foundation President and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş stated that President Erdoğan’s COP31 messages delivered at the 81st UN General Assembly clearly laid out Türkiye's approach regarding the summit to be held in Antalya.
Ağırbaş expressed that, in line with the strong will of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the vision put forward by First Lady Emine Erdoğan, zero waste will be carried further as one of the fundamental topics of climate action at COP31.
Samed Ağırbaş (President of Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 Climate Champion)
"The emphasis our President placed on Zero Waste from the UN podium is extremely important to us. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's determined will in the fields of environment, climate, and sustainable development has become a strategic asset that strengthens Türkiye's leading role in global climate diplomacy."
"These meetings have been held for 31 years, more than 70 decisions have been taken, but the number of decisions actually implemented on the ground can be counted on the fingers of one hand. It is precisely at this point that if we make these decisions together with the citizens, and if we align them with the citizens' own discourse, they will have real impact on the ground and the citizens will take ownership of this effort."
President Erdoğan's COP31 invitation and his emphasis on Zero Waste during his UN General Assembly address have permanently placed the implementation-oriented approach of the summit to be held in Antalya and Türkiye's goal to strengthen climate action on the ground onto the international agenda.
