30.03.2026 14:26
Emine Erdoğan, Chair of the United Nations (UN) High-Level Advisory Board on Sustainable Development Goals, released a video message on the occasion of the anniversary of the resolution adopted unanimously on December 14, 2022, at the UN General Assembly, co-hosted by Turkey and 105 other countries, declaring March 30 as 'International Zero Waste Day'.
Emine Erdoğan expressed her happiness in celebrating the 4th year of 'International Zero Waste Day', extending her gratitude to the embassies that spread the Zero Waste vision worldwide, the UN, the UN Environment Program, UN Habitat, and all Zero Waste volunteers. Reminding that this year's theme is 'Food Waste', Erdoğan stated, "Because today, 673 million people are struggling with hunger in the world. More than 2 billion people cannot have sufficient and balanced nutrition. One in every 12 people lives under the risk of chronic hunger. Therefore, we wanted to realize the chain effects of every food we throw away and together say 'stop' to this trend. Thus, we can stand by our brothers and sisters living on the terrifying border between hunger and death in Africa, Asia, Gaza, and many other geographies. It is tragic that nearly half of the child deaths under the age of 5 in the world are due to hunger. Many children pass away without growing up or seeing a beautiful day. However, if we could save just a quarter of the food wasted on a global scale, we could end hunger in the world," she said.
'THE BILL FOR FOOD LOSS AND WASTE IS PAID BY ALL HUMANITY'
Emine Erdoğan pointed out that 2.3 billion tons of food, equivalent to 5.8 trillion plates of food, is lost without being consumed each year, stating, "Every bite wasted has the right of the people whose lives depend on that bite. There are the cries of people suffering from hunger and thirst in war zones. Let us not forget that the bill for food loss and waste is paid by all humanity together," she said.
'LET'S SAVE OUR KITCHENS FROM BEING WASTE CENTERS'
Pointing out that 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by food loss and waste, Erdoğan said, "According to the Food Waste Index Report, 60 percent of food waste occurs in households. This means that with a little attention, a little awareness, and small behavior changes, we can indeed prevent this great waste. Indeed, the experiences we have gained in the Zero Waste Project we started in 2017 have shown us that behavior change is the strongest environmental and climate policy. In other words, responsible behavior can turn into a wave of goodness that encompasses all humanity and nature. For example, by not letting just one fruit rot, we do not waste the water, energy, and human labor spent on growing that fruit. At the same time, we give nature a chance to renew itself and contribute to reducing environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. So let’s join hands. Let’s cover great distances with small steps. Let’s save our kitchens from being waste centers and turn them into places of gratitude for blessings. Most importantly, let’s not forget that the value of abundance increases with appreciation, and let’s build a fair world where children do not go hungry shoulder to shoulder," she stated.
VIDEO MESSAGE WILL BE SHOWN AT MANY EMBASSIES
March 30, International Zero Waste Day is also celebrated at diplomatic missions located in many parts of the world. In this context, Emine Erdoğan's video message will be shown at events in the Permanent Mission of the UN in Geneva, the Permanent Mission of the UN in Nairobi, the Permanent Mission of UNESCO, the Permanent Mission of the UN, the Permanent Mission of OECD in Paris, the Permanent Mission in Brussels, the FAO Embassy in Rome, the Permanent Mission of UNODC, the Permanent Mission of Kosovo, the Permanent Mission in Berlin, the Permanent Mission of Brazil, the Permanent Mission in London, the Permanent Mission in Baku, the Permanent Mission in Vienna, and the Embassy in Gaborone.