While preparations continue for COP31, which will be hosted by Türkiye in Antalya, COP31 High-Level Climate Champion and Zero Waste Foundation President Samed Ağırbaş met with the international climate community at Baku Climate Action Week.
Türkiye's efforts to accelerate climate action during its COP31 Presidency and to carry forward the achievements established in the period extending from COP29 to COP31 are ongoing. During the COP31 process led by Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum, Türkiye continues its international contacts to establish an inclusive, implementation-oriented, and multi-stakeholder climate agenda.
In this context, Baku Climate Action Week (BCAW 2026), held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, served as a significant international meeting point in the process leading up to COP31. Under the theme "Regional Action and Global Solidarity for Climate Resilience," discussions were held aimed at accelerating climate action, strengthening regional resilience, and developing global cooperation.
At the opening of BCAW 2026, held concurrently with the Climate Week of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), representatives of the COP29, COP30, and COP31 presidencies came together with representatives from the UNFCCC, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and various international organizations.
Strong Emphasis on Concrete Climate Action from COP31
Speaking at the Opening Session of Baku Climate Action Week, COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş drew attention to the opportunities offered by the Zero Waste approach—spreading globally under the vision and auspices of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, Honorary Chairperson of the Zero Waste Foundation and Chairperson of the UN Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste—in terms of efficient resource use, strengthening the circular economy, and accelerating climate action beyond mere environmental policies.
Emphasizing the importance of implementing the climate commitments made in the process extending from COP29 to COP31, Ağırbaş shared the contributions the Zero Waste approach can provide to the global climate agenda alongside the efforts Türkiye is carrying out within its COP31 preparations.
"We delivered our speech by coming together with the international community and climate leaders at the Opening Session of Baku Climate Action Week, which began with the theme 'Regional Action and Global Solidarity for Climate Resilience.'
In our speech, we drew attention to the transformative power of our Zero Waste approach in environmental policies and shared our determination to turn climate commitments into concrete actions in the process extending from COP29 to COP31."
Türkiye-Azerbaijan Cooperation Strengthens in the COP31 Process
Drawing attention to the importance of cooperation between Türkiye and Azerbaijan during the preparation process for COP31, Ağırbaş stated that the two countries have formed joint working groups as part of the COP31 preparations.
Stating that Türkiye is continuing its COP31 preparations in close coordination with Azerbaijan, Ağırbaş said, "We are building one of the largest COP meetings in the world, where we will host 197 countries in Türkiye. Together with Azerbaijan, we are preparing strongly for COP31."
As part of his contacts in Baku, Ağırbaş also visited Prof. Dr. Birol Akgün, Türkiye's Ambassador to Baku. During the meeting, regional collaborations in line with the Zero Waste vision and efforts regarding the COP31 process were evaluated alongside the contacts carried out in Azerbaijan.
During the visit, Ağırbaş was accompanied by AK Party Youth Branch President Yusuf İbiş, Chief Advisor to the President Gülşen Orhan, former Erzurum MP Prof. Dr. Mustafa Ilıcalı, KADEM Chairperson of the Board of Directors Att. Dr. Canan Sarı, and Zero Waste Foundation Board Member Dr. Muhammed İkbal Alp.
The Shared Agenda Extending from COP29 to COP31
Within the scope of Baku Climate Action Week, bilateral meetings were held with COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 High-Level Climate Champion Nigar Arpadarai, IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera, SOCAR Vice President Afgan Isayev, World Climate Foundation CEO Jens Nielsen, and a delegation from Baker Hughes.
During the meetings, strengthening climate action, accelerating the clean energy transition, and cooperation areas for sustainable development in the process leading up to COP31 were discussed. In the panel sessions held within BCAW 2026, the importance of maintaining the momentum gained in the climate agenda during the transition from COP29 to COP31 and translating international commitments into concrete results stood out.
"We Want to Make Istanbul the Zero Waste Capital of the World"
Drawing attention to the contribution of Türkiye's Zero Waste experience to international climate action, Ağırbaş stated that they have developed strong collaborations with the London and New York Climate Weeks in addition to Baku.
"Our goal, our aim is clear. We want to make Istanbul the zero waste capital of the world."
"We see the Zero Waste Movement, which started under the leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, as an important element in the world's transformation and progress. During this process, we will continue to work together with our 86 million citizens for a more livable, fairer world."
Youth Are Among the Key Stakeholders of COP31 Climate Action
Attending the Baku Climate Action Week programs together with AK Party Youth Branch President Yusuf İbiş, Ağırbaş made evaluations on the pioneering role of youth in climate action. During the meetings, the role of youth in disseminating the Zero Waste vision and opportunities to ensure stronger youth participation in climate action during the COP31 process were discussed.
The contacts made at Baku Climate Action Week formed a significant part of Türkiye's goal to strengthen its international partnerships in the climate action process extending from COP29 to COP31 and to contribute to a concrete, inclusive, and implementation-oriented climate agenda for COP31 to be held in Antalya.
