Istanbul hosts global Zero Waste Forum with leaders from 104 nations

The inaugural Zero Waste Forum opened in Istanbul on Friday, positioning the city as a global hub for discussions on sustainable waste management and environmental policy. The high-profile event, which has drawn participants from 104 countries, is a key initiative stemming from the Zero Waste Project championed by First Lady Emine Erdoğan.

Global Participation and Key Themes

Organized by the Zero Waste Foundation and key Turkish ministries, the forum's agenda is centered on the theme “People, Places, Progress.” Key discussion points for the three-day event include transforming policy into tangible action, scaling up effective solutions, mobilizing financial resources, and forging strong international alliances to tackle waste globally.

High-Level International Attendance

The forum boasts significant international representation, with Guy Bernard Ryder, the UN under-secretary-general for policy, attending on behalf of Secretary-General António Guterres. Other notable figures include UN-Habitat Executive Director Anaclaudia Rossbach and Azerbaijan's climate representative Mukhtar Babayev, underscoring the event's global relevance.

Türkiye's Leadership Role

Turkish Environment Minister Murat Kurum and Agriculture Minister İbrahim Yumaklı are also participating, highlighting the national commitment to the zero-waste vision. The forum solidifies Türkiye's and First Lady Erdoğan's leading role in this global movement, which she advances both as the chair of the UN High-Level Advisory Council on Zero Waste and as the honorary president of the Zero Waste Foundation established in 2023.