28.05.2026 13:21
The Zero Waste Forum, one of the key international gatherings of the Zero Waste Movement growing globally under the leadership of Emine Erdoğan, will take place at Atatürk Airport from June 5th to 7th. Within the scope of the forum, the High-Level Agriculture and Forestry Ministers' Session, hosted by Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Mr. İbrahim Yumaklı, will address critical topics such as food security, agricultural sustainability, natural resource management, and climate-resilient production models.
The Zero Waste Forum, to be held between June 5–7 at Atatürk Airport under the theme “The Road to Antalya: Zero Waste as Climate Action,” will bring together high-level representatives from different countries in Istanbul in the fields of environmental diplomacy, sustainable development, circular economy, and climate policies.
The Zero Waste Forum, to be held between June 5–7 at Atatürk Airport within the framework of the global Zero Waste vision implemented under the auspices and leadership of Emine Erdoğan, Chair of the United Nations Zero Waste High-Level Advisory Board and Honorary Chair of the Zero Waste Foundation, will bring together high-level representatives from different countries in Istanbul in the fields of environmental diplomacy, sustainable development, circular economy, and climate policies.
"THE COLLECTIVE WISDOM TO EMERGE WILL STRONGLY CONTRIBUTE TO THE COP31 PROCESS"
Samed Ağırbaş, Chair of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion, stated in a statement regarding the forum to be held under the leadership of the Zero Waste Foundation that it will further strengthen Turkey's international influence in the field of environmental diplomacy.
Ağırbaş expressed that the meeting in Istanbul will create an important global consultation platform that will shape not only today's environmental issues but also future sustainable development policies, emphasizing that the collective wisdom to emerge on topics such as food security, resource efficiency, and climate-resilient production models will also make strong contributions to the COP31 process.
GLOBAL AGRICULTURAL DIPLOMACY TAKES SHAPE IN ISTANBUL UNDER THE HOSTING OF MINISTER YUMAKLI
The “High-Level Session of Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry” to be held within the forum will be organized under the hosting of Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Mr. İbrahim Yumaklı. In the session, ministers of agriculture and forestry from different countries, representatives of international organizations, environmental experts, academics, and sector stakeholders will come together to evaluate common solution topics against the increasing global food crisis.
The session, which will address critical issues such as the impacts of the global climate crisis on agricultural production, increasing food demand, water stress, drought, desertification, biodiversity loss, and sustainable management of natural resources, is expected to serve as an important international platform for the development of sustainable agricultural policies.
In the high-level session to be held under the hosting of Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Mr. İbrahim Yumaklı, ministers from different countries, public institutions, representatives of international organizations, academics, private sector stakeholders, environmental experts, and non-governmental organizations will come together to conduct comprehensive evaluations regarding the future of agriculture and forestry policies.
THE STRATEGIC ROLE OF THE ZERO WASTE APPROACH IN AGRICULTURAL POLICIES WILL BE ADDRESSED
In the session to be held within the forum, it will be emphasized that the zero waste approach is not only an environmental policy but also a strategic transformation model for economic development, resource security, and food supply sustainability.
Key agenda items of the session will include reducing losses occurring in agricultural production processes, recovery of organic waste, widespread implementation of composting practices, biomass management, energy efficiency in agriculture, renewable energy-supported production systems, and widespread adoption of circular economy-based practices.
While it is stated that the framework of the session will be shaped by Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Mr. İbrahim Yumaklı’s frequently emphasized approaches of “sustainability in production,” “food supply security,” and “resource efficiency,” it is aimed to evaluate joint solution mechanisms to make the agricultural sector more resilient against climate change.
MAIN AGENDA TOPICS OF THE SESSION DETERMINED
In the High-Level Session of Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry, the dimension of the zero waste approach concerning food systems and the protection of natural assets will be comprehensively addressed. In the session, which will evaluate the impacts of the global climate crisis on agriculture, forestry, and natural resource management, multi-dimensional policy recommendations will be discussed to promote sustainable production and consumption models.
The following topics will particularly stand out within the scope of the session:
- Reduction of food loss and waste,
- Water efficiency and basin-based management,
- Protection of forest assets and carbon sink areas,
- Circular model applications in agricultural production.
In evaluations at the level of experts and ministers, attention will be drawn to the importance of developing a balanced and sustainable model between the conservation of natural resources and economic development.
MINISTER YUMAKLI: THE ZERO WASTE MOVEMENT FORMS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT PILLARS OF OUR FOOD SUPPLY SECURITY
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Mr. İbrahim Yumaklı, in his evaluation regarding the high-level session to be held within the scope of the Zero Waste Forum, highlighted the critical importance of the Zero Waste movement for agricultural sustainability.
Minister Yumaklı made the following statements in his declaration:
“The Zero Waste movement, initiated under the leadership of the esteemed Emine Erdoğan and serving as a model for the world, constitutes one of the important pillars in protecting our food supply security.
At the Zero Waste Forum to be held between June 5-7 at Atatürk Airport, we will come together with my counterparts in a high-level session themed on reducing food losses, making agricultural production sustainable, and securing our future.
We continue to take our steps decisively to build a sustainable future and prevent waste.”
REDUCTION OF FOOD LOSS AND WASTE WILL BE A PRIORITY TOPIC
In the session, where it will be highlighted that a significant portion of food produced globally is lost or wasted according to United Nations data, good practice examples will be shared on increasing efficiency in food supply chains, reducing post-harvest losses, and promoting sustainable consumption habits.
It will be emphasized that widespread adoption of the zero waste approach, particularly in the agriculture and food sectors, contributes not only to reducing environmental impacts but also to increasing economic efficiency and strengthening social welfare.
Additionally, comprehensive evaluations will be made in the session on topics such as digitalization in agricultural production, smart irrigation systems, effective management of water resources, protection of soil health, and support for biodiversity.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CLIMATE CRISIS AND AGRICULTURE WILL BE EVALUATED MULTI-DIMENSIONALLY
On a global scale where the effects of climate change are becoming more visible every day, the forum will draw attention to the fact that the agricultural sector is one of the areas most affected by the climate crisis, and will address solutions to reduce risks such as drought, forest fires, extreme weather events, water scarcity, and production losses.
During the discussions to be held as part of the High-Level Session of Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry, topics such as the dissemination of climate-friendly production models, conservation of natural resources, support for rural development, and the development of sustainable financing models in agricultural production are expected to be on the agenda.
The discussions to be held with the participation of Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı are considered to make significant contributions in terms of increasing information sharing between countries, strengthening environmental diplomacy, and promoting sustainable agricultural policies on a global scale.
ISTANBUL BECOMES THE CENTER OF GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY DIPLOMACY
The Zero Waste Forum, to be held between June 5-7, aims to bring together state representatives from different countries, international organizations, academics, experts, and decision-makers on the same platform, creating a strong international ground for environment and sustainability diplomacy.
The forum, to be organized under the leadership of the Zero Waste Foundation, is expected to make significant contributions to the dissemination of sustainable production and consumption habits, support for climate-friendly development policies, increasing environmental awareness, and leaving a more livable world for future generations.
The High-Level Session of Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry, hosted by Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, is anticipated to be one of the most notable sessions of the forum in terms of strengthening food security, protecting natural resources, accelerating sustainable transformation in the agricultural sector, and developing a common environmental consciousness on a global scale.
ISTANBUL WILL BE THE MEETING POINT OF GLOBAL CLIMATE DIPLOMACY BEFORE COP31
The Zero Waste vision, carried out under the auspices of Emine Erdoğan, now occupies a central place in global climate policies. The zero waste approach, previously addressed in a limited manner at COP summits, has become one of the important agenda items of COP31 to be held in Antalya.
Before this process, the Zero Waste Forum to be held at Istanbul Airport on June 5-7, 2026, will be a critical platform where international collaborations in environmental diplomacy, circular economy, and sustainable development will be shaped.
TURKEY IS BECOMING ONE OF THE GLOBAL ACTORS PRODUCING SOLUTIONS
Turkey stands out not only as a country managing its own environmental transformation but also as an important actor that shares knowledge with developing countries, contributes to international environmental policies, and develops applicable models against the climate crisis.
The fact that the Zero Waste Movement, launched in 2017, has transformed into a model cited globally today, and that March 30 was declared "International Zero Waste Day" under Turkey's leadership, demonstrates the international impact of this vision.
THE FORUM WILL SHAPE THE ROADMAP OF THE NEW ERA
At the forum to be held in Istanbul, topics such as resource efficiency, reduction of food losses, sustainable production models, and climate-friendly development policies will be addressed.
The forum organized by the Zero Waste Foundation is expected to host important diplomatic and technical contacts that will shape global climate policies before COP31.