Emine Erdoğan: We have the ideal of a world where no one is left behind

Emine Erdoğan, wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, attended the Zero Waste Forum Ministerial Session. Speaking there, Emine Erdoğan said, "With the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, we have the ideal of a world where no one is left behind. The key to achieving this ideal depends on all countries taking responsibility. We regretfully see that we are far from achieving global equity among countries, especially in the fight against climate change. Unfortunately, commitments made in international agreements are not always fulfilled. Therefore, I wanted to bring this issue to your attention today."
In her opening remarks at the forum, Emine Erdoğan, wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, expressed her great pleasure in hosting guests from around the world. Erdoğan emphasized her belief that the special session was a significant opportunity to share the zero-waste vision, exchange ideas, and take joint steps toward the future. She noted that Türkiye's zero-waste journey has spanned nearly eight years.
Emine Erdoğan noted that they were carrying out multifaceted work under the coordination of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, saying, "We have created a strong culture of solidarity from state institutions and local governments to the private sector and civil society. We have focused on awareness-raising activities. We have organized special education programs, particularly for youth and children. Throughout the process, we have seen the extraordinary support of women and witnessed how important actors they can be in environmental matters."
Stating that they have expanded their environmental mobilization with new initiatives such as the "Zero Waste Blue" and "Water Efficiency" campaigns, Erdoğan said that they are indescribably proud to be the pioneers of the Zero Waste Resolution, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2022 with the co-presentation of 105 countries.
Emine Erdoğan said, "Thankfully, zero waste is a concept that is now well-known to the world public and has become a part of almost everyone's daily lives. However, advancing this awareness and making it a shared success story for humanity requires equal efforts from all of us. As you know, with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, we have the ideal of a world where no one is left behind. The key to achieving this ideal depends on all countries taking responsibility. We regretfully see that we are far from achieving global equity among countries, especially in the fight against climate change. Unfortunately, commitments made in international agreements are not always fulfilled. Therefore, I wanted to bring this issue to your attention today."

Erdoğan emphasized that countries that contribute not even 1 percent to global climate change are paying such a heavy price that they face extinction. He noted that almost every day they receive news of another place in the world being devastated by natural disasters and new humanitarian crises emerging. He said, "As Turkey, we attach great importance to international cooperation and the establishment of common goals in solving climate and environmental problems. Therefore, I hope this meeting will be a foundation for strategic partnerships based on fair responsibility sharing. We must absolutely fulfill the requirement of equitable burden sharing, considering countries disproportionately affected by the consequences of climate change. Because climate injustice is not only an environmental problem today; it is also a human rights issue."
Erdoğan emphasized that environmental and climate change challenges such as waste pollution, carbon emissions, and biodiversity loss are common problems that recognize no boundaries and affect everyone. He stated that solving these problems and achieving the zero-waste vision on a global scale are possible through international cooperation and shared goals. He emphasized the fact that cities are the source of the greatest amount of waste in the modern age, as will be discussed in some of the Forum's sessions.
'SUSTAINABLE MUNICIPALITY APPROACHES ARE BECOMING VITALLY IMPORTANT EVERY DAY'Emine Erdoğan, emphasizing that waste volume has become a global crisis in itself, said, "Today, more than 2 billion tons of municipal waste are produced annually worldwide, and it is estimated that the volume of waste will reach 3.8 billion tons within 25 years. Therefore, local governments' zero-waste practices and sustainable municipal approaches are becoming increasingly crucial. At this point, I want to emphasize that the zero-waste practices you have implemented in your countries are decisive in building a just and sustainable world."
Erdoğan stated that Turkey is always ready to contribute to the sharing of knowledge and experience, technology transfer, and joint projects in the field of zero waste. He said, "Your presence here and your support for the Zero Waste Forum are a very important contribution to the future of humanity. I believe that this positive beginning will pave the way for strong solidarity among our countries on circular economy, sustainable development, and resource efficiency. I hope this valuable session, which brings together Environment Ministers and Ministry representatives from 63 countries around the world, will be beneficial."

The International Zero Waste Forum "Ministerial Meeting" was attended by Minister of Environment and Urbanization Murat Kurum, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, President of Zero Waste Foundation Samed Ağırbaş, Vice President of Iran and President of the Environmental Protection Agency Shina Ansari, Deputy Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (TDT) Merey Mukazhan, Deputy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of the United Arab Emirates Alya Abdelrahim Alharmoodi, Minister of Environment and Forest Resources of Togo Katari Foli-Bazi, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Somalia Bashir Mohamed Jama, Special Representative of Russia on Climate Change Ruslan Edelgeriev, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Mauritania Messouda Mohamed Laghdaf, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Environment of Maldives Ahmed Nizam, Minister of Local Government of Fiji Maciu Katamotu Nalumisa, Minister of Local Government and Acting Minister of Environment of Egypt Prof. Dr. Manal Awad Mikhaiel Aboughatas, Benin's Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development Jose Didier Tonato, BRS Executive Secretary Rolph Payet, UN Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach, Uzbekistan's Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov, Turkmenistan's Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Charygeldi Babanyyazov, Syria's Minister of Local Government and Environment Mohammed Anjarani, Sierra Leone's Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change Mima Yema Mimi Sobba, Montenegro's Minister of Spatial Planning, Urbanization and State Assets Slaven Radunovic, Mali's Minister of Environment, Sanitation and Sustainable Development Doumbia Mariam Tangara, Malaysia's Minister of Housing and Local Government Kor Ming Nga, Gabon's Minister of Environment, Ecology and Climate Mays Lloyd Mouissi, Eswatini's Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Matty Mkhonta-Simelane, Azerbaijan's Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources OJSC Chairman Etibar Abbasov, and United Nations (UN) Zero Waste Advisory Board Vice-Chair Jose Manuel Moller, Tatiana Molcean, Executive Secretary of the United Nations (UN) Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and Cambodian Foreign Minister Ojano Sabo attended the meeting.
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Reporter: News Center
İstanbul Gazetesi