Samed Ağırbaş

Born in 1994 in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Samed Ağırbaş completed his undergraduate education in architecture and urban planning after graduating from Kadırga Industrial Vocational High School. Having completed his master's degree in business and finance at Mississippi State University, Ağırbaş continues his academic studies as a doctoral student at the University of Massachusetts.

Taking an active role in national and international non-governmental organizations since the age of 15 and contributing to youth activities as a founder, president, and member, Ağırbaş served as a member of the Field Coordination Team of the Volunteering Program of the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency in the projects carried out within the scope of Istanbul being declared the European Capital of Culture in 2010.

In 2011, while he was a student at Kadırga Industrial Vocational High School, he pioneered the establishment of a youth group called 'High School Entrepreneurs Club' and ensured the establishment of entrepreneurship clubs in high schools in Istanbul within the scope of the protocol signed with the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education. The project was implemented throughout Türkiye by the Ministry of National Education in the following years, leading to the opening of more than 3,000 entrepreneurship clubs.

He was elected President of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Youth Assembly in 2014, and also assumed the presidency of the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye Youth Assembly and the World Humanitarian Summit Youth Working Group during the same period. Coordinating the official Youth Forum of the World Humanitarian Summit, he led the creation of action plans aimed at increasing the role of youth in humanitarian aid.

He has carried out significant studies and led projects on climate change, environment, zero waste, and urbanism in many international organizations such as the United Nations, OECD, and the European Union.

Deemed worthy of many national and international awards for his work in the fields of youth, entrepreneurship, and education, he authored the books 'Night and Day Istanbul' and 'The Adventure of Art' published in Turkish and English, as well as the academic study titled 'Ornamentation in Ottoman Architecture (Works of Mimar Sinan)'. He has also written many articles on zero waste, climate change, and urbanism.

He served as Special Advisor to the Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) and UN-HABITAT Consultant for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, ensured coordination of relations between UN member states and UN institutions, and led various projects. He actively continues his work at the United Nations.

Currently, as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Board of Directors of the Zero Waste Foundation, he carries out national and international projects in the fields of sustainability, environment, and youth studies. He speaks advanced English and beginner Portuguese.