The Zero Waste Movement, initiated under Türkiye's leadership and rapidly adopted globally, once again demonstrated its weight on the international agenda with the event held under the umbrella of the United Nations in New York as part of the March 30 International Day of Zero Waste. The program was attended by high-level representatives of the United Nations and numerous international stakeholders, notably Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 President, and Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion.
The Zero Waste approach, shaped by the visionary leadership 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, and transformed into a global awareness movement, continues to expand the understanding of sustainability and responsible resource management worldwide through the March 30 International Day of Zero Waste proclaimed by a UN General Assembly resolution. The event, held this year with the theme of "Food Waste," drew attention to the issue of food waste in its environmental, economic, and humanitarian dimensions.
Numerous High-Level Contacts Established
Making assessments within the scope of the program, Samed Ağırbaş stated that they held over 20 contacts in two days together with Minister Murat Kurum, expressing that multilateral consultations regarding the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change process are being resolutely maintained. Drawing attention to multi-dimensional global issues such as access to energy, poverty, and environmental degradation, Ağırbaş emphasized that millions of people may face deeper socioeconomic risks due to the impacts of climate change in the upcoming period. In this context, Ağırbaş pointed out that the solutions to be developed in the fields of waste management and resource efficiency are of vital importance.
"Inclusive and Results-Oriented Efforts Under the Leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan"
Stating that the Zero Waste vision born under Türkiye's leadership has today turned into a global movement reaching 193 countries, Ağırbaş said, "At the foundation of this success lies the understanding of consultation, cooperation, and collective wisdom. The efforts carried out under the leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan continue based on an inclusive and results-oriented approach."
In his speech at the program held at the United Nations, Ağırbaş emphasized that the Zero Waste approach is not only an environmental policy but also a set of values reminding humanity of its shared responsibility. Thanking the international organizations involved in organizing the event, Ağırbaş expressed that this global movement has formed a powerful impact worldwide by shaping around a vision.
Drawing attention in his speech to the fact that food waste is one of the most striking contradictions of our time, Ağırbaş reminded that in a world where approximately 1 billion tons of food is wasted every year, millions of people struggle with hunger. Ağırbaş stated that this situation is not only an ethical problem; it is also a critical issue in terms of climate change, natural resource depletion, and sustainable development.
Expressing that a balanced and conscientious prioritization must be made between climate goals and humanitarian responsibilities, Ağırbaş emphasized that every step taken at the individual level contributes to justice and sustainability goals on a global scale.
International Stakeholders Invited to the Zero Waste Forum
During the program, international stakeholders were also invited to the Zero Waste Forum to be held in Istanbul on June 5-7; it was expressed that this platform will contribute to strengthening global collaborations.
In his speech, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 President Murat Kurum emphasized that the zero waste approach has become a necessity rather than a choice; stating that the efforts carried out by Türkiye in this field have triggered a social transformation. Kurum expressed that thanks to the Zero Waste Management System expanded across Türkiye, millions of tons of waste have been recovered, natural resources have been protected, and carbon emissions have been significantly reduced.
Stating that they act with the goal of creating an impact on an international scale, Kurum articulated that Türkiye aims to make a global difference by spreading its zero waste approach to different geographies. Kurum emphasized that concrete steps aimed specifically at reducing food waste will be prioritized during the COP31 process.
During the program, UN senior executives also took the floor to make assessments regarding the global impacts of food waste, drawing attention to the importance of solution-oriented cooperation. Within the scope of the event, video messages from First Lady Emine Erdoğan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres were also shared with the participants.
A Turning Point on a Global Scale
The Zero Waste Movement, initiated in 2017 under the leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, quickly became a national model by being strengthened in its institutional, legal, and social dimensions. The declaration of March 30 as the International Day of Zero Waste by a resolution adopted at the UN General Assembly in 2022 marked a turning point for the movement on a global scale.
At the point reached today, the Zero Waste Foundation continues its efforts to reduce food waste, expand circular economy models, and strengthen sustainable waste management by increasing national and international collaborations. Türkiye's pioneering role in this field aims to present an exemplary model on a global scale by becoming more visible with the COP31 process.
