President of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş shared Türkiye's COP31 Antalya vision with international stakeholders during his contacts in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, as part of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17).
Participating in high-level sessions, holding bilateral meetings, and inspecting environmental facilities within the scope of UNCCD COP17 held between August 24-26, Ağırbaş drew attention to the importance of addressing climate change, land restoration, water and food security, biodiversity, and the circular economy in a holistic manner.
Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye continues to put forward a strong and effective vision on a global scale in environmental and climate diplomacy. As an important element of this vision, the Zero Waste Movement, initiated under the leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan—Founder of the Zero Waste Movement, Chairperson of the United Nations Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste, and Honorary Chairperson of the Zero Waste Foundation—continues its efforts on a global scale as a powerful environmental movement spreading from Türkiye to the world.
During the contacts held in Ulaanbaatar in this context, the contributions of the Zero Waste approach to protecting natural resources, increasing resource efficiency, strengthening the circular economy, and supporting climate action were discussed. Ağırbaş emphasized the need to strengthen partnerships and expand concrete climate solutions in the period extending from Ulaanbaatar to Antalya.
Samed Ağırbaş (President of Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 Climate Champion)
"We delivered the opening speech of COP17 in Mongolia. We once again explained to the world Türkiye's vision, the leadership of our President, and the Zero Waste Movement that started under the leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan. We met many old friends. Everyone is talking about COP31, for which Türkiye is preparing. They also speak of the positive impact that the Zero Waste Movement, originating from Türkiye and now a global brand, has given to the world."
A Holistic Approach for Land and Climate Action
In his speech at the Business for Land (B4L) High-Level Opening Session held as part of UNCCD COP17, Ağırbaş emphasized that land and climate action cannot be considered separately.
Drawing attention to the importance of protecting healthy soils, water resources, and ecosystems in terms of climate resilience, Ağırbaş explained the contributions the Zero Waste approach can provide to the land agenda by reducing pressure on natural resources and utilizing resources in a circular manner.
Also delivering an opening speech at the "Transforming Land, Climate, and Biodiversity Resilience through Nature-Based Solutions" session, Ağırbaş stated that solutions placing nature and land management at the center of climate action should be strengthened, and multilateral cooperation among the Rio Conventions should be reflected more strongly in the field.
From Ulaanbaatar to Antalya: From Targets to Implementation
The COP31 preparations carried out under the leadership of Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 President, were one of the main agendas of Ağırbaş's contacts in Mongolia. In the meetings held prior to COP31 Antalya to be hosted by Türkiye, topics such as reflecting climate action in the field, developing international partnerships, and scaling practices that produce concrete results across different geographies were evaluated.
In his opening speech at the "Global Climate Action Agenda on Land: Solutions That Work for All" session, Ağırbaş underscored that concrete implementations must be the fundamental priority in the process starting from Belém, passing through Ulaanbaatar, and reaching COP31 Antalya.
Speaking at the "From Istanbul to Abu Dhabi: Water-Land-Climate Nexus for Resilience" session held within UNCCD COP17, Ağırbaş drew attention to the importance of addressing water security, land restoration, sustainable agriculture, and food security with an integrated approach.
Strong Synergy Among Rio Conventions on the COP31 Agenda
Ağırbaş also spoke at the "From Target to Action: Delivering Rio Synergies Throughout the Triple COP Year" session, attended by Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 CEO Fatma Varank, and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Abdülkadir Polat.
In the session, while the importance of bringing environmental and climate solutions to the field during the process extending from Ulaanbaatar to Antalya was emphasized, the targets of the Rio Synergies Action Group, planned to be established within the scope of COP31 hosted by Türkiye, were shared. Ağırbaş pointed out the importance of addressing the strong link between climate change, biodiversity, and combating desertification with a more effective cooperation ground during the COP31 process.
Contacts with Business World, International Organizations, and Local Inspections
Meeting with a delegation from the Business Council of Mongolia, Ağırbaş evaluated the role of the business world in sustainable land management and circular economy processes in line with COP31 targets. He also held meetings with Ruslan Edelgeriev, Special Presidential Representative on Climate Issues of the Russian Federation, and Ambassador Berik Aryn, Director General of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), on strategic cooperation and water-food resilience.
As part of the program, Ağırbaş visited one of the city's slum areas and environmental facilities, listening to the local people's experiences regarding sustainability. He also met with Başak Genç Yüksel, Türkiye's Ambassador to Ulaanbaatar, to evaluate targets regarding the COP31 process.
Youth Will Be Active Stakeholders in the COP31 Process
Ağırbaş also met with Carlos Alvarado Quesada, Former President of Costa Rica, and evaluated forward-looking cooperation opportunities for the COP31 process.
Furthermore, answering questions about youth's climate vision at the "Intergenerational Dialogue: Responses to the Youth Agenda" session, Ağırbaş shared the determination to center the active participation and pioneering role of youth in the COP31 process.
A Strong Cooperation Network Extending to COP31 Antalya
The contacts held by Zero Waste Foundation President and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş within UNCCD COP17 demonstrated Türkiye's determination to strengthen international collaborations that jointly address the agendas of climate change, land, water, food security, biodiversity, and the circular economy on the road to COP31 Antalya. The diplomacy conducted in Ulaanbaatar established a crucial ground for cooperation and scaling local practices on the road to COP31 Antalya.
