A comprehensive cooperation protocol was implemented between the Zero Waste Foundation and the Ministry of Industry and Technology of the Republic of Türkiye, aiming to increase resource efficiency, prevent waste generation, and popularize the circular economy approach in the industrial sector.
Continuing its activities under the vision and auspices of the 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, First Lady Emine Erdoğan, the Zero Waste Foundation continues to support a holistic transformation approach in the field of sustainability by developing strong collaborations among the public, private sector, and civil society. Within this framework, a strategic partnership was established between the parties with a signing ceremony held in Ankara on March 4, 2026.
The signing ceremony was held at the Ministry building with the participation of Zero Waste Foundation President and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş and Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ağırbaş emphasized that the Zero Waste Movement, initiated under the leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, quickly found a strong response on a global scale, and expressed that this cooperation will yield effective results on national and international platforms.
"Coordinated Works Will Be Carried Out with the Ministry"
Stating that coordinated works will be carried out with the Ministry, Ağırbaş said, "The Zero Waste Foundation, as the main partner of the United Nations, continues to work uninterruptedly in different geographies and regions of the world. With this cooperation protocol we signed today, we will initiate a strong collaboration with our Ministry of Industry and Technology, primarily in areas such as the Zero Waste Forum, Istanbul Zero Waste Week, and COP31."
Drawing attention to the importance of green transformation in industry, Ağırbaş stated that strengthening Türkiye's industrial infrastructure in line with sustainability principles is among the priority targets.
Indicating that it is planned to include stakeholders from different geographies in the process through international contacts and multilateral meetings, Ağırbaş pointed out that these initiatives will contribute to global climate policies.
"The Zero Waste Foundation Plays a Pioneering Role"
Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, in his evaluation, emphasized that accelerating the green transformation process of the industry is among the fundamental priorities of the Ministry's policies. Stating that comprehensive studies are being carried out to reduce carbon emissions and strengthen circular economy practices, Kacır expressed that the Zero Waste Foundation plays a pioneering role both at national and international levels.
Kacır also expressed that the works to be carried out with the contributions of relevant institutions, primarily TÜBİTAK, KOSGEB, and the Turkish Standards Institution (TSE), will provide significant contributions to the transformation of the industry on the axis of sustainability. He added that it is aimed to increase the global visibility of the projects developed in line with Türkiye's green development vision.
Cooperation Mechanisms Will Be Strengthened with the Comprehensive Protocol
Within the scope of the protocol; common working areas will be created for the development of circular economy-based production models, the popularization of sustainable industrial practices, and the support of environmentally friendly technologies. Information sharing will be increased through training programs, workshops, and thematic events; and multi-stakeholder cooperation mechanisms will be strengthened among industry, academia, and civil society.
Furthermore, while it is planned to create platforms that encourage the sharing of knowledge and experience at national and international levels, the dissemination of good practice examples and capacity-building activities will also be among the important components of the cooperation. The Zero Waste Foundation will play an active role in this process with its technical expertise and organizational capacity.
A Holistic Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals
This implemented cooperation, while contributing to Türkiye's green transformation goals in industry, will also accelerate the strengthening of environmental responsibility at the corporate level in production processes. The partnership, developed with the understanding that the circular economy approach is a strategic element not only in terms of environmental but also economic competitiveness, aims to make a holistic contribution to sustainable development goals.
The Zero Waste Foundation, since its establishment, has been continuing its work with an approach based on the prevention of waste generation at the source; it aims to transform the zero waste culture into a permanent behavioral model in a broad framework ranging from individual habits to corporate policies. The collaborations developed in this direction further consolidate Türkiye's leading role in the field of sustainability.
The works carried out by the Foundation in line with the vision shaped under the leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan address the zero waste concept beyond an environmental responsibility, as an intergenerational trust and a consciousness of civilization; and continue to resolutely contribute to Türkiye's green development process together with the public, private sector, and all stakeholders.
