Zero Waste Statement from First Lady Erdoğan: It Turned into Global Mobilization

First Lady Erdoğan included the following statements in her message shared on her social media account:

Nine years ago, we took a step with the intention of protecting the fertility of the soil, the value of water and the balance of nature.

Our Zero Waste journey, which started in 2017, has today turned into a strong environmental mobilization that goes beyond our borders.

This change started with an idea; It spread from homes to schools, from cities to international platforms. It became a voice of shared responsibility that echoed around the world.

Because Zero Waste is not just about what we throw away, but about what we appreciate. It is an understanding that touches every aspect of life.

The Zero Waste Decision, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2022 under the leadership of Turkey, is the global turning point of this journey.

I declared March 30 as International Zero Waste Day and served as its Chairman. With the establishment of the UN Zero Waste High Level Advisory Board, our country's experience was carried to different geographies.

Now this nine-year experience extends to COP31 hosted by Turkey. Thus, I wholeheartedly believe that the Zero Waste approach will be adopted as one of the powerful tools of climate action.

Our greatest wish is to leave a culture of life that respects nature, as well as a cleaner world, to future generations.