Istanbul, Türkiye – October 19, 2025 – In a resounding call for global unity, Türkiye's First Lady Emine Erdoğan declared that the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent the "ideals of a world where no one is left behind." Speaking at the ministerial session of the inaugural Global Zero Waste Forum, she emphasized that achieving these ambitious targets hinges on "all countries taking responsibility." Her words set the tone for a landmark gathering aimed at transforming waste management into a cornerstone of planetary progress.
Organized by the Zero Waste Foundation in collaboration with the Turkish Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and UN-Habitat, the forum unfolded under the evocative theme: “People, Places, Progress.” Held over three days at the Istanbul Congress Center, the event drew over 1,500 delegates from 120 countries, including environment ministers, urban planners, NGO leaders, and private sector innovators. This high-profile ministerial session, on the forum's second day, marked a pivotal moment for policy dialogue, with participants pledging concrete actions to curb the global waste crisis.
Emine Erdoğan, who has been a driving force behind Türkiye's Zero Waste Project since its launch in 2017, opened the session with a passionate address. "This special gathering is a major opportunity to share the zero-waste vision, exchange ideas, and take collective steps for the future," she stated, her voice resonating through the packed hall adorned with banners proclaiming "Zero Waste for a Sustainable Tomorrow." She highlighted Türkiye's multifaceted efforts, coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, which have positioned the country as a global leader in waste reduction.
Under Erdoğan's stewardship, the Zero Waste Project has evolved into a nationwide movement, fostering a "strong culture of solidarity" that spans state institutions, local governments, the private sector, and civil society. "We have focused intensely on awareness-raising activities," she noted, citing campaigns that have reached millions through schools, mosques, and community centers. Since inception, the initiative has diverted over 4.5 million tons of waste from landfills, recycled 2.8 million tons of materials, and generated approximately 1.2 billion Turkish lira (around $35 million USD) in economic value from recycled goods. These figures, verified by the Turkish Statistical Institute, underscore a 37% reduction in per capita waste generation nationwide—from 415 kilograms in 2017 to 261 kilograms in 2024.
A standout aspect of Erdoğan's remarks was her tribute to women's pivotal role. "Throughout this process, we have seen women’s extraordinary support and how important they can be in environmental matters," she affirmed. In Türkiye, women-led zero-waste committees in 81 provinces have mobilized over 500,000 volunteers, organizing sorting drives and educational workshops. This gender-inclusive approach aligns with SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and has inspired similar models in partner nations like Indonesia and Kenya. Erdoğan shared anecdotes of rural housewives turning plastic waste into artisanal products, empowering local economies while healing the environment.
Following her speech, Erdoğan took to NSosyal, Türkiye's burgeoning social platform with 45 million users, to amplify the message. In a post garnering 250,000 likes within hours, she wrote: "Türkiye places utmost importance on strengthening international cooperation and setting shared goals to tackle climate and environmental issues." She expressed optimism that "this gathering will serve as a platform for launching strategic partnerships based on fair burden-sharing, and I wish it to yield fruitful outcomes." The post, hashtagged #GlobalZeroWaste and #SDG2030, sparked a viral thread with users sharing personal zero-waste pledges from Tokyo to Bogotá.
The forum's broader context reveals a world grappling with escalating waste challenges. According to UNEP's 2024 Global Waste Management Outlook, the planet generates 2.3 billion tons of solid waste annually—a figure projected to surge 70% by 2050 without intervention. Plastic pollution alone chokes oceans, with 14 million tons entering waterways each year, threatening marine life and human health. Urbanization exacerbates the issue: by 2030, 60% of the global population will reside in cities, producing 80% of waste. The SDGs, adopted in 2015, target this through Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities) and Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption), but progress lags—only 17.7% of countries are on track, per the UN's 2025 SDG Report.
Türkiye's model offers a blueprint. Launched by Erdoğan to combat the country's then-32 million tons of annual waste, the project mandates separate collection bins in public spaces and incentivizes recycling via tax rebates for compliant businesses. By 2025, 95% of municipalities have adopted zero-waste protocols, reducing landfill use by 42%. International acclaim followed: In 2023, Erdoğan received the UNEP Champions of the Earth award, and Türkiye hosted a UNEP regional hub for waste innovation. Collaborations with UN-Habitat have extended the project to 15 African and Asian cities, training 10,000 officials in circular economy principles.
The ministerial session buzzed with endorsements. UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen praised Türkiye as "a beacon of hope," announcing a $50 million fund for zero-waste pilots in small island states. UN-Habitat's Anacláudia Rossbach highlighted urban applications, unveiling a toolkit for "zero-waste neighborhoods" adaptable to megacities like Lagos and Mumbai. Turkish Environment Minister Mehmet Özhaseki detailed national commitments: a $2 billion investment in waste-to-energy plants by 2030, aiming to process 70% of municipal waste. Agriculture Minister İbrahim Yumaklı committed to zero-waste farming, targeting 50% reduction in agricultural plastic use.
Side events amplified the dialogue. A youth panel, featuring 200 students from 50 nations, pitched apps for gamified recycling— one Turkish teen's "Waste Warriors" app has already boosted participation by 25% in pilot schools. Corporate pledges poured in: Unilever vowed to make 100% of its Turkish packaging recyclable by 2027, while Turkish Airlines promised zero-waste flights on all domestic routes. Exhibitions showcased innovations, from biodegradable packaging derived from olive pits—a nod to Türkiye's 1.5 million-ton annual olive harvest—to AI-sorted recycling robots cutting contamination by 60%.
Yet, challenges persist. Developing nations cited funding gaps, with Erdoğan advocating "fair burden-sharing" akin to climate finance pacts. A session on equity addressed how zero-waste burdens low-income communities disproportionately; solutions included micro-grants for informal waste pickers, who collect 20% of global recyclables yet earn under $2 daily.
As the session concluded, a joint declaration emerged: the Istanbul Zero Waste Accord, signed by 85 ministers. It pledges $10 billion in collective funding, technology transfers to 50 vulnerable countries, and annual forums starting 2026. Erdoğan closed with a poetic flourish: "Zero waste is not just about bins—it's about binding humanity in care for our shared home."
This forum transcends symbolism. With COP30 looming in Brazil next year, Istanbul's outcomes could reshape global waste governance, aligning with SDGs to ensure no one is left behind. As Erdoğan’s NSosyal post trends worldwide, one thing is clear: Türkiye’s vision is igniting a global movement. For a planet producing waste faster than it can heal, “People, Places, Progress” isn’t just a theme—it’s a lifeline.
