Emine Erdoğan's striking statement on Gaza at the exhibition opening in New York.

25.09.2025 11:45

Emine Erdoğan, the wife of President Erdoğan, attended the opening of the "Zero Waste Blue - Drop by Drop" exhibition in New York. Speaking at the event, Erdoğan stated, "The most expensive place for water in the world is Gaza, because there, the price of a glass of water is paid with human life. Unfortunately, we are in a very dark period where water can be used as a tool of genocide. Humanity must not be the losing side in this struggle."

Under the patronage of Emine Erdoğan, the wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Chair of the United Nations (UN) High-Level Advisory Board on Zero Waste, the "Zero Waste Blue-Drop by Drop" Exhibition was opened in New York as part of the Zero Waste Movement implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change.

Emine Erdoğan, who inaugurated the exhibition set up in the event area, toured the exhibition area with the Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Murat Kurum, the Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, UN-Habitat Executive Director Anaclaudia Rossbach, Azerbaijan's Special Representative for Climate Change and COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev, the President of the Zero Waste Foundation Samed Ağırbaş, as well as some foreign ministers and high-level representatives of international environmental organizations.

"ARE YOU BLUE AWARE?"

The exhibition, titled "Are You Blue Aware?" highlights the importance of water through visual and auditory works, showcasing Turkey's efforts to protect water resources in lakes such as Van, Salda, Meke, Beyşehir, and Eğirdir, as well as in the Izmit Bay.

The exhibition emphasizes the importance of water resources through installation works, featuring Taha Baydar's 5 glass works and the "Pina" installation made from waste glass, Gökhan Doğan's interactive digital artwork that allows the experience of the value of water, and Ali Saran's musical works reflecting the rhythm of water, titled "Sound of Water."

Participants showed great interest in the works of marbling artist Garip Ay during the event.

The exhibition aims to promote Turkey's efforts to protect seas, lakes, and oceans on an international scale, present tangible environmental gains and awareness efforts under the "Zero Waste Blue" brand, and create a foundation for cooperation and partnerships that will strengthen global environmental diplomacy.

"THERE IS A 1.6 MILLION SQUARE KILOMETER GARBAGE PATCH IN THE PACIFIC"

Speaking at the program, Emine Erdoğan expressed her happiness and honor in meeting with the guests and thanked the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change and the Zero Waste Foundation for organizing the event, as well as the artists who contributed their works to the exhibition.

Emine Erdoğan stated that the artists have shown that a sustainable and fair world can be built not only through policies but also through art, imagination, and universal values, and that their works serve as a voice for nature and provide healing to hearts. She expressed her hope that this exhibition, filled with inspiration, would serve as a reminder of the deep connections with nature.

Emine Erdoğan continued her speech as follows:

"Who would have thought that one day humanity, which has established civilizations throughout history, made scientific discoveries, and produced extraordinary works of art, would add a continent of garbage to the earth, and the bright blue cover of our planet would become unrecognizable? Unfortunately, there is a floating garbage patch in the Pacific Ocean that is 1.6 million square kilometers in size, made up of waste such as plastic bottles, bags, cigarette butts, and fishing nets. This figure means that an area twice the size of Turkey is occupied by garbage, clearly showing the point we have reached and where we must stop."

"57 MILLION TONS OF PLASTIC WASTE ARE GENERATED EVERY YEAR GLOBALLY"

Emine Erdoğan pointed out that humanity consumed more than 75% of what it consumed in the entire 20th century in just five years from 2016 to 2021, stating, "We cannot simply dismiss this as a consumption frenzy. The heavy costs of this frenzy are paid by the environment, natural resources, ecosystems, and people as a whole. Every year, 57 million tons of plastic waste are generated globally. Approximately 23 million tons of this pollutes our lakes, rivers, and seas, meaning that every day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic is dumped into the waters. It is estimated that there are more than 14 million tons of microplastics in the world's oceans. This great danger, which we ignore because we cannot see it, penetrates our food chain and ends up on our tables."

Emine Erdoğan highlighted that research has shown microplastics are even found in the placentas of babies, drawing attention to the unstoppable journey of plastic.

"IF WE LOOK THROUGH THE WINDOW OF ANATOLIA, IT WOULD BE A MUCH MORE LIVABLE PLACE"

In February, during the 9th...

Emine Erdoğan, reminding that Turkish scientists who completed the National Antarctic Science Expedition found microplastics in their studies with samples taken from the snow, said, "However, Antarctica is one of the most untouched continents in the world. In Turkish, we say: 'The lion is known by where it lies.' When we look at the state of our world, we understand that we see our only home as a raw material depot, a resource to be plundered. If we could change this perspective, then the world would be a much more livable and fair place. For example, from the window through which Anatolia looks at the world. Nature is seen as a divine work, a trust from the Creator. This deep affection is still preserved in our world of faith and culture."

"THE COMMON GROUND OF EVERY ANCIENT CIVILIZATION IS TO ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP BASED ON RESPECT FOR NATURE"

Emine Erdoğan expressed her desire to share one of the examples that affected her deeply, saying:

"In ancient times in Anatolia, when people went to the forest to cut wood, they would wrap the axe head with cloth so that the trees would not be frightened because they were aware that all elements of nature have a soul and a language. They would avoid hurting it, respect its rights, and strive to revive it. In fact, the common ground of every ancient civilization is to establish a relationship based on respect for nature. If we want to fight against climate change, which has become an undeniable global problem today, we must revive this understanding."

Emine Erdoğan drew attention to Turkey's efforts throughout history to seek solutions to humanity's problems, emphasizing that the zero waste journey we embarked on in 2017 with the intention of "The World is Our Common Home" is also a product of this approach.

"Every step we take to address environmental issues is taken not only for ourselves but for all our brothers and sisters with whom we share the earth under the sky. In every success we achieve, we experience the indescribable joy of contributing to the welfare of humanity," said Emine Erdoğan, noting that they have seen that every effort made with sincerity and determination over these 8 years has turned into a tree that bears abundant fruit.

"HOW LUCKY THAT ZERO WASTE IS NOW A GLOBAL MOVEMENT"

Emine Erdoğan stated that the greatest proof of this is the Zero Waste resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2022 under Turkey's leadership, recalling that they presented the Global Zero Waste Goodwill Declaration to the world with the great support of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Emine Erdoğan mentioned that they declared March 30 as "International Zero Waste Day," established the Zero Waste Advisory Board under the United Nations, and activated the Zero Waste Foundation in Turkey.

Emine Erdoğan said, "How lucky that Zero Waste is now a global movement. In 2019, we launched the Zero Waste Blue Movement with the understanding that 'Water is our common source of life.' So far, we have removed 285 thousand tons of marine debris, which is equivalent to 22 thousand truckloads of waste, from our shores and seas. With 551 blue flag beaches, we are the third country in the world with the most blue flag beaches. We did not stop there; in 2023, we launched the 'Water Efficiency Campaign.' In our world, where more than 2 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water, we consider water efficiency efforts a duty to humanity."

"IN GAZA, THE PRICE OF A GLASS OF WATER IS PAID WITH HUMAN LIFE"

Emine Erdoğan noted: "Today, the place where water is the most expensive in the world is Gaza because there, the price of a glass of water is paid with human life. Unfortunately, we are in a very dark period where water can be used as a tool of genocide. Since October 7, 2023, Israel has been targeting the water infrastructure in its attacks on Gaza. 85% of water pipelines, treatment plants, wells, and infrastructures are unusable. Palestinians have to walk long distances every day to meet their daily water needs. Sometimes they die in missile attacks on water queues before they can deliver the water they collect to their families. The images of tiny children trying to carry water jugs heavier than their own weight are truly a dark stain on humanity's conscience. The people are forced to drink water that is not suitable for human consumption due to lack of water. I believe there is not a single moral, legal, humanitarian, or ethical red line left unbroken in Gaza. We are condemned to a world where children cannot ask, 'Mom, what is for dinner?' A state that has lost its moral compass is wrestling with humanity's conscience. Humanity must not be the losing side in this struggle."

Emine Erdoğan expressed her hope for a just world where water cannot be turned into weapons, international law cannot be trampled upon, and universal values are valid for everyone, inviting the guests to sign the "Zero Waste Goodwill Declaration."

AUSTRALIAN CLIMATE CHANGE MINISTER SIGNS "ZERO WASTE GOODWILL DECLARATION"

After the speeches, Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen signed the "Zero Waste Goodwill Declaration."

The program was attended by Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Fatma Varank, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Berris Ekinci, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Enes Eminoğlu, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Yalçın Rafiyev, Director-General of the Global Environment Bureau of Japan's Ministry of the Environment Kentaro Doi, Director of Intergovernmental Relations at the UN Environment Program (UNEP) New York Office Jamil Ahmad, AK Party Deputy Chairpersons Zafer Sırakaya, Halit Yerebakan, and Sevilay Tuncer, AK Party Women's Branch Chair Tuğba Işık Ercan, AK Party Adana Deputy Sunay Karamık, AK Party Istanbul Deputy Müşerref Pervin Tuba Durgut, AK Party Youth Branch Chair Yusuf İbiş, Board Member of the Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA) Neil Seldman, Zero Waste Advisory Board Member Carlos Silva Filho, and general managers of newspapers and television stations.