05.06.2026 00:41
Under the coordination of the Zero Waste Foundation and under the auspices of the Istanbul Governorship, the Zero Waste Festival received intense interest from the very first day. On the first day, 200 thousand people visited the festival.
The Zero Waste Movement, growing under the vision of Emine Erdoğan, Chair of the United Nations High-Level Advisory Board on Zero Waste and Honorary Chair of the Zero Waste Foundation, is preparing for a new global-scale meeting in Istanbul. During a press conference held as part of Istanbul Zero Waste Week, organized under the coordination of the Zero Waste Foundation and the auspices of the Istanbul Governorship, details of the Zero Waste Forum, to be held on June 5-7, were shared.
At the meeting, evaluations were also made regarding the first day of the Zero Waste Festival, which opened its doors today. Stating that Emine Erdoğan's vision lies at the heart of the global success the Zero Waste Movement has achieved today, Ağırbaş said, "This journey, which started in Turkey in 2017, has turned into a global movement transcending continents thanks to the strong leadership of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan. The fact that representatives from 183 countries are gathering in Istanbul today is one of the strongest indicators that the idea of zero waste has been embraced by the world. I extend my gratitude to Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, the architect of this idea."
"FESTIVAL HOSTED OVER 200,000 VISITORS ON ITS FIRST DAY"
Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion, stated that the festival hosted over 200,000 visitors on its first day, adding that Istanbul Zero Waste Week has become one of the city's important brands. Expressing that they are working with the goal of making Istanbul the global capital of zero waste, Ağırbaş said, "Just as major world cities have their climate weeks, Istanbul now has its own unique brand. I wish Istanbul Zero Waste Week to be beneficial for our city and nation."
Reminding that over 1,500 events are being held across the city between June 1-7, Ağırbaş emphasized that the festival area includes experience and learning zones for all age groups, inviting citizens to the events.
"WE WILL HOST REPRESENTATIVES FROM 183 COUNTRIES IN ISTANBUL"
Highlighting the international dimension of the forum, Ağırbaş said, "Tomorrow, we will host representatives from 183 countries in Istanbul. Ministers, mayors, business representatives, civil society organizations, and youth will come together around the same goal. We will kick off our forum with an opening worthy of Istanbul. The Zero Waste Forum is expected to host over 120 ministers, over 200 mayors, more than 20 former heads of state, and over 7,000 participants."
Ağırbaş noted that the forum is not just an environmental event but will also pave the way for new economic opportunities and international collaborations, adding, "We aim to make Istanbul a hub for international organizations in the field of zero waste. In this direction, we encourage international organizations to open their offices in Istanbul and are building an ecosystem that will create new employment and internship opportunities for our youth."
"DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS WILL CREATE THE REGION'S INVESTMENT MAP"
Emphasizing that increasing zero waste-themed investments is among their priorities, Ağırbaş said, "We aim to establish new production facilities in the fields of upcycling, recycling, and biodegradable products. Within the scope of the forum, we will hold important meetings with the public sector, private sector, financial institutions, and various stakeholders to create the region's investment map."
"ONE OF THE MAIN AGENDA ITEMS IS FOOD WASTE"
Stating that one of the main agenda items of the forum will be food waste, Ağırbaş commented, "Today, while millions of people struggle with hunger and thirst in one part of the world, problems arising from overconsumption are experienced in another. At the Zero Waste Forum, we will not only discuss environmental issues but also address real problems concerning humanity's common future, such as food waste, resource justice, and sustainable living."
"THE ISTANBUL DECLARATION WILL BE A HISTORIC DOCUMENT"
Stating that the Istanbul Declaration to be published at the end of the forum will be a historic document, Ağırbaş said, "The Istanbul Declaration, shaped by the contributions of 183 countries, will provide an important roadmap to strengthen global cooperation in the field of zero waste." Istanbul Governor Davut Gül stated that the Zero Waste Movement has turned into a global environmental mobilization in a short time, emphasizing that Emine Erdoğan's vision and leadership are at the core of this success. Gül commented, "Although the Zero Waste Foundation is a very young organization, it has turned into a movement that attracts the world's attention in a short time. Behind this lies a strong idea, sincere effort, and societal resonance."
Emphasizing that the zero waste approach offers not only an environmental but also a social and economic transformation model, Gül said, "Eliminating waste will yield positive results in many areas, from food to water, and from the environment to the economy. The zero waste movement presents a strong vision that reconnects us with our values." Expressing his satisfaction that Istanbul is hosting such a comprehensive organization, Gül noted that the intense interest shown on the first day of the festival is an indication of society's importance given to environmental awareness.
OVER 1 MILLION VISITORS EXPECTED
The Zero Waste Festival and Zero Waste Forum, held on an area exceeding 300,000 square meters, are expected to host a total of over 1 million visitors. Events to be carried out throughout Istanbul Zero Waste Week offer an important platform for spreading sustainable living culture and developing global collaborations. The Zero Waste Movement, growing under the leadership of Emine Erdoğan, continues its work resolutely for a more livable and sustainable future through strong collaborations extending from Istanbul to the world.