07.06.2026 22:30
Istanbul hosted the Zero Waste Forum, one of the most important gatherings of global environmental diplomacy. The event, organized under the patronage of Emine Erdoğan with the theme 'The Road to Antalya: Climate Action,' concluded with a gala program. Speaking at the closing, President Erdoğan stated that he found the forum's mission very valuable on the path to the COP31 Conference of the Parties. He emphasized that the forum, which saw participation from 183 countries, demonstrated Türkiye's success in environmental diplomacy.
Speaking at the gala dinner, the closing program of the Zero Waste Forum, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, “The mission undertaken by the Zero Waste Forum on the road to COP31 is very valuable. The Zero Waste Movement has today turned into a global environmental mobilization recognized by the United Nations.”
Istanbul hosted one of the most important gatherings of global environmental diplomacy. The Zero Waste Forum, held under the auspices of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, Chair of the United Nations High-Level Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste and Honorary Chair of the Zero Waste Foundation, brought together leaders, decision-makers, academics, local government representatives, youth, and non-governmental organizations from all over the world around a common goal for three days.
The closing of the Zero Waste Forum, held under the theme “The Road to Antalya: Climate Action,” took place with a gala program attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, Honorary Chair of the Zero Waste Foundation, numerous ministers and members of parliament, and Samed Ağırbaş, Chair of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion.
Speaking at the program held at Istanbul Atatürk Airport, President Erdoğan emphasized that the international unity and action-oriented approach demonstrated by the forum were extremely valuable.
“THE FORUM IS AN IMPORTANT PLATFORM THAT STRENGTHENS GLOBAL COOPERATION IN ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE”
Starting his speech by greeting the participants, President Erdoğan expressed his pleasure in being at the closing of such a comprehensive organization in Istanbul, a meeting point of civilizations. Thanking guests from different parts of the world as well as from Turkey, Erdoğan stated that the forum has become an important platform that strengthens global cooperation in the field of environment and climate. President Erdoğan noted that numerous strategic topics were addressed during the forum, from circular economy to climate-friendly production models, from converting waste into economic value to resource efficiency, and wished for beneficial outcomes from this comprehensive organization. Erdoğan thanked all institutions and organizations, especially the Zero Waste Foundation, for their efforts in realizing the organization.
“IT MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO STRENGTHENING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS IN ALL SEGMENTS OF SOCIETY”
In his speech, President Erdoğan also touched upon the events held within the scope of World Environment Day and Istanbul Zero Waste Week, stating that the festivals, exhibitions, and awareness programs organized throughout the week made significant contributions to strengthening environmental awareness in all segments of society. He emphasized that efforts to raise awareness about environmental issues, especially among children and youth, are of great importance for future generations.
“A CLEAR INDICATION OF THE HIGH LEVEL TURKEY HAS ACHIEVED IN ENVIRONMENTAL DIPLOMACY”
Drawing attention to the international scale the forum has reached, President Erdoğan stated that bringing together participants from 183 countries, including over 120 ministers, more than 200 mayors, and over 500 international stakeholders on the same platform is highly meaningful. Erdoğan said, “This forum, attended by over 5,000 participants from youth organizations to the private sector, from non-governmental organizations to policy makers, from academics to decision-makers, is a clear indication of the high level Turkey has achieved in environmental diplomacy.”
“THE FORUM FOCUSED ON CONCRETE, APPLICABLE, AND MEASURABLE SOLUTIONS”
President Erdoğan emphasized that one of the most important features of the Zero Waste Forum is that it is not merely a platform where problems are discussed, but focuses on concrete, applicable, and measurable solution proposals. He stated that the efforts put forward in line with combating climate change, efficient use of resources, and sustainable development goals are of a quality that will shape global environmental policies.
“I BELIEVE THE POTENTIAL OF THE FORUM WILL YIELD MUCH GREATER RESULTS IN THE FUTURE”
President Erdoğan expressed his belief that the potential of the forum will yield much greater results in the future, saying, “I sincerely believe that the Zero Waste Forum, in terms of its scope, method, and nature, will turn its existing potential into action and bring thought together with action.”
“THE MISSION UNDERTAKEN BY THE FORUM AHEAD OF COP31 IS VERY, VERY VALUABLE”
Emphasizing the special importance of the role undertaken by the forum ahead of the COP31 Conference of the Parties to be held in Antalya in November, Erdoğan said, “This mission undertaken by the forum on the road to the COP31 Conference of the Parties is very, very valuable.” Noting that choosing the theme of the forum as “The Road to Antalya: Climate Action” was an extremely appropriate choice, President Erdoğan stated that he believes the ideas, proposals, and joint work emerging here will make strong contributions to the COP31 process.
“THE ZERO WASTE APPROACH HAS BECOME A GLOBAL VISION”
Samed Ağırbaş, Chair of the Zero Waste Foundation, also spoke at the program and drew attention to the global impact of the forum. Ağırbaş stated that the forum, with over 5,000 participants from 183 countries, once again demonstrated that the zero waste approach is no longer just an environmental policy but has become a global vision concerning the common future of humanity.
“PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN'S VISION OF A FAIRER WORLD INSPIRES OUR WORK”
Stating that President Erdoğan's vision of a fairer world, expressed on international platforms, inspires their work, Ağırbaş emphasized that the zero waste movement, growing under the leadership of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, has today transcended Turkey's borders and turned into a global movement for good. Ağırbaş noted that the Zero Waste Istanbul Criteria, to be shared with the public within the scope of the forum, will provide an important reference framework for protecting resources, preventing waste, and strengthening sustainable development, and expressed that the common will formed at the forum will make valuable contributions to international climate processes, particularly COP31.
During the closing gala of the Zero Waste Forum, a video presentation about the Zero Waste Movement and the forum's vision was also shown.
Pioneered by Emine Erdoğan in 2017 and quickly evolving into a global environmental movement, the Zero Waste approach has today transformed into an internationally recognized model that unites countries around common environmental goals under the United Nations. The Zero Waste Forum, as one of the strongest reflections of this vision, has made significant contributions to global environmental governance by bringing together resource efficiency, circularity, climate action, and sustainable development under one roof.
Completed over three days with high-level sessions, thematic panels, technical meetings, and international collaborations, the Zero Waste Forum has become one of the most comprehensive platforms shaping the world's common environmental agenda on the path to COP31.