28.04.2026 07:25
Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion, held numerous meetings and discussions during the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Climate Week, held in Yeosu, South Korea, from April 21-25, 2026.
Zero Waste Foundation President and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş participated in multi-layered contacts, high-level meetings, and application-oriented programs within the scope of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Climate Week held in Yeosu, South Korea, between April 21-25, 2026.
The Zero Waste Foundation, continuing its work in line with the globally recognized initiatives of the founder of the Zero Waste Movement, President of the United Nations Zero Waste High-Level Advisory Board and Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, Emine Erdoğan, continues to play an active role in international platforms with the aim of strengthening climate diplomacy with concrete applications.
Zero Waste Foundation President and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş carried out an intensive diplomacy and implementation-focused program during the Climate Week held in South Korea. Within the framework of meetings and events focusing on moving global climate action from the negotiation phase to the implementation stage, Ağırbaş came together with public, private sector, and civil society representatives in South Korea, leading the strengthening of concrete collaborations for the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), which will be held in Turkey between November 9-20, 2026.
"WE WANT TO BE WHEREVER THERE ARE PEOPLE"
Evaluating the contacts in South Korea, Ağırbaş stated that the Zero Waste Movement has transcended continents and become a global brand, saying, "We were at the Climate Week organized by the United Nations in Yeosu. We met with non-governmental organizations and government officials. We are trying to find common ground by coming together with civilian voices and representatives of different groups."
Ağırbaş, who stated that they discussed zero waste processes 360 degrees in a meeting attended by leaders of over 40 non-governmental organizations, said, "We also delivered the opening speech of the climate action week. In our bilateral meetings, we reiterated our call for global justice and discussed the work we will do in the context of zero waste. All continents of the world are important to us. We want to be wherever there are people."
"WE ARE AT A TURNING POINT UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF OUR PRESIDENT"
Ağırbaş, stating that the United Nations Climate Week in Yeosu was very productive, said the following:
"As the Zero Waste Foundation, we organized a joint event with our Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. In the event attended by hundreds of people, we discussed the future and current status of zero waste. In all the meetings we attended, we, as Turkey, now set up the solution table. In humanitarian diplomacy and environmental diplomacy, we are at a turning point under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Under the leadership of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, we will leave more works to the world. These will be important steps for future generations after us."
"WE WILL TAKE STRONGER AND MORE DECISIVE STEPS IN CLIMATE DIPLOMACY"
Ağırbaş chaired the meeting held with Marrakech Partnership stakeholders and shared the vision and priorities of the COP31 Global Climate Action Agenda.
The meeting emphasized that climate action needs to become more inclusive, people-focused, and directly connected to daily life. The necessity of more strongly involving young people, scientists, local communities, and vulnerable groups in decision-making processes was particularly highlighted.
Regarding the program, Ağırbaş evaluated: "In our meeting, we had the opportunity to directly share our vision and strategic priorities on how to advance climate action on our COP31 journey under the leadership of our Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 President, Mr. Murat Kurum. Throughout the meeting, while conveying our Global Climate Action Agenda vision set forth as the COP31 High-Level Climate Champion, we focused on how our contacts in Yeosu and planned activities will form the basis for the major summit in Antalya. On this bridge extending from Yeosu to Antalya, with the contributions of our stakeholders, we will take much stronger and more decisive steps in climate diplomacy."
"WE MUST NOT LEAVE CLIMATE SOLUTIONS ON PAPER BUT IMPLEMENT THEM QUICKLY"
Ağırbaş, who was the main speaker at the Impact Dialogue session titled "Unlocking Scaling in Implementation" held as part of the Climate Week, stated that climate solutions already exist, and the priority is to implement these solutions on a global scale.
Pointing out that progress in areas such as energy, industry, food systems, infrastructure, and human development needs to be accelerated by aligning public policies with private sector investments, Ağırbaş expressed that removing barriers in finance, technology, and governance is critically important.
The meeting also emphasized the need to strengthen multi-stakeholder collaborations to increase investable projects and make climate solutions scalable.
Sharing implementation strategies in climate action, Ağırbaş said in a statement after the meeting: "In my speech, I emphasized that we must not leave the climate solutions we have on paper but implement them quickly. We no longer need just promises, but major investments and strong collaborations to spread these solutions worldwide. By combining the energy and capital of the private sector with the right policies, we aim to make climate projects accessible and applicable for everyone. On the road to COP31, by working shoulder to shoulder with the business world, we will turn the steps we planned in Yeosu into concrete successes in Antalya."
HIGH-LEVEL COLLABORATIONS ESTABLISHED
Within the program, Ağırbaş held a series of bilateral meetings with senior representatives of international organizations.
In meetings with the Under2 Coalition, the ICLEI Global Network, UNFCCC senior management, and the COP31 Youth Climate Champion;
- The role of local governments in climate action,
- Integration of youth into decision-making processes,
- Multi-level governance models,
- Methane emission reduction and data transparency,
- Dissemination of circular economy and zero waste practices
Collaboration opportunities on topics such as these were discussed.
In the meetings, a common will was expressed to make global climate action more inclusive, measurable, and applicable in the process leading to COP31.
Regarding the Under2 Coalition meeting, Ağırbaş said, "We conveyed our thanks for the strong partnership maintained with the Climate Champions team for many years. We particularly discussed reducing methane emissions, combating misinformation, and the participation of local governments in climate action. On the road to COP31, we continue to work decisively to bring the power of local governments and these visionary collaborations to Antalya."
BRINGING DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS TOGETHER IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE CLIMATE ACTION AGENDA
Addressing the partnership with ICLEI Deputy Secretary General and ICLEI South Asia Executive Director Emani Kumar and the Climate Champions team, which has been ongoing for many years, and the topic of "Human Settlements," Ağırbaş stated, "We emphasized that their success in bringing together local governments and different stakeholders is one of the most important building blocks of our climate action agenda. With the power of cities and local governments, we continue to strengthen our collaboration to build a much more inclusive future on the road to COP31."
In his meeting with United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Deputy Executive Secretary Noura Hamladji, Ağırbaş discussed COP31 preparation processes and priorities in climate diplomacy, highlighting priorities under the Climate Action Agenda and steps to strengthen cooperation between parties and non-party stakeholders, particularly focusing on the private sector.
"YOUTH PERSPECTIVE AND DYNAMISM MUST BE INCLUDED IN EVERY STAGE OF THE PROCESS"
Regarding his meeting with COP31 High-Level Youth Climate Champion Sally Higgins, Ağırbaş stated that they evaluated strategic cooperation areas to strengthen youth participation in climate policies, saying, "We discussed steps to increase the impact of climate action by including the youth perspective and dynamism in every stage of the process. In our COP31 preparations, we center the vision of our youth and move forward with determination to take concrete steps in Antalya."
APPLICATION LABORATORY FOCUSING ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEALTH, CLIMATE, AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
In his program in South Korea, Ağırbaş delivered the opening speech for the Application and Investment Laboratory session, which addressed the health impacts of extreme weather events and the role of waste management in this process.
In his speech, Ağırbaş drew attention to the fact that climate change has become a direct public health issue, emphasizing that effective waste management is a critical tool for preventing diseases, reducing environmental risks, and building resilient health systems.
It was stated that open dumping and incineration practices should be ended, circular economy solutions should be widespread, and intersectoral collaborations should be strengthened.
Ağırbaş stated, "In the Application and Investment Laboratory session organized as part of Yeosu 3rd Climate Week, we focused on a vision for a climate-resilient future together with national platforms and policymakers. In this process, where we assessed the impacts of climate events on public health systems, we discussed concrete solutions and strategic intervention methods to overcome implementation barriers. By turning climate solutions into concrete projects on the ground, we are determinedly building an action-oriented future on the road to COP31."
FOUR HEADLINES HIGHLIGHTED IN THE OPENING SESSION
Speaking at the official opening ceremony of Climate Week, Ağırbaş drew attention to the role of non-state actors in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. Stating that the credibility of climate action will be possible by finding concrete resonance in the daily life of society, Ağırbaş highlighted four priority areas:
- Zero waste and circular economy,
- Youth and education,
- Food security,
- Climate-resilient cities.
It was stated that concrete projects to be developed in these areas will be decisive in achieving global climate goals.
Ağırbaş stated, "In Yeosu, we attended the High-Level Ceremony of the Application Forum held as part of the 3rd Climate Week and delivered our speech. In the session, we comprehensively discussed many vital issues, from food security to the climate resilience of our cities, from youth leadership in the green economy to the impacts of zero waste on our health. On the road to COP31, we are combining our vision with real action and determinedly building a future that includes all segments and finds resonance on the ground." Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Fatma Varank also made a speech at the session.
Delivering an opening speech at the Zero Waste High-Level Climate Champions (CHLC) Event organized within the scope of COP31 in Yeosu, Ağırbaş drew attention to the importance of integrating zero waste into the action agenda and accelerating circular and human-centered climate action, saying, "As the COP31 High-Level Climate Champion, our core vision is that zero waste principles should not remain only in strategic documents but should take root at the very center of climate action, opening the doors to a more resilient future."
APPLICATION EXAMPLES EXAMINED ON SITE THROUGH FIELD VISITS
Visiting the Yeosu City Waste Processing Facility, Ağırbaş said, "During our visit, we observed on site the processes of bringing waste back into the recycling loop and converting it into energy with advanced technology. On the road to COP31, we aim to spread these holistic models where waste turns into a resource, and we are preparing our cities for a more resilient and sustainable future."
Finally, Ağırbaş held a bilateral meeting with Green Climate Fund Multilateral Governance Chair Exsley Taloiburi.
In the meeting, solution models for small island states against climate risks within the framework of the Zero Waste vision were evaluated, and strategic collaborations that could be carried out during the COP31 process were discussed.
Ağırbaş conveyed the message, "We share our field experience for a climate action that leaves no one behind and continue with determination to strengthen our solidarity through joint projects."