At the panel held at the UN Office in Geneva, Switzerland, prominent figures such as AK Party Erzurum MP Fatma Öncü, MHP Kahramanmaraş MP Zuhal Karakoç Dora, Turkey's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva Ambassador Güven Begeç, WTO Permanent Representative Ambassador Alpaslan Acarsoy, UN-Habitat Director Graham Alabaster, and UNEP Regional Director for Europe Arnold Kreilhuber were present.

Message from Emine Erdoğan

First Lady Emine Erdoğan, in her video message sent online to the panel, emphasized the importance of promoting the zero waste approach. She stated, "Our efforts within the Advisory Board, consisting of 13 valuable members, continue intensively, particularly focusing on sharing good practices and spreading the zero waste approach."

Emine Erdoğan also highlighted that the 30th of March, declared as International Zero Waste Day by the UN Zero Waste Resolution, presents an important opportunity for environmental volunteers. She thanked all the diplomatic missions contributing to the event.

Ambassador Begeç on Turkey's Zero Waste Successes

Turkey's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Güven Begeç, stated that under the leadership of Emine Erdoğan, Turkey has become an international example in zero waste practices. Begeç said, "Through our project, we have prevented 6 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, generated 6 billion dollars for the national economy through recycling, and recycled 60 million tons of waste." He also mentioned that the goal is to increase the zero waste recovery rate to 60% by 2035.

Praise from UNEP and UN-Habitat

UNEP Regional Director for Europe Arnold Kreilhuber emphasized the importance of the zero waste goal, saying, "Waste pollution threatens both our health and economic prosperity." He added, "Turkey, especially under the leadership of Emine Erdoğan, has taken a pioneering role in zero waste."

UN-Habitat Geneva Office Director Graham Alabaster highlighted the zero waste approach as an important method in solving issues such as air pollution and disease.

Towards COP29: Emphasis on Zero Waste

Dilara Abdullayeva, Deputy Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the UN in Geneva, which will host the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) this year, shared information on zero waste initiatives and provided updates on COP29 preparations.

Zero Waste Project: A Global Transformation Model

Launched under the patronage of Emine Erdoğan in 2017, the Zero Waste Project has revolutionized waste management in Turkey. The Zero Waste Regulation, which came into effect in 2019, aims to implement the zero waste system nationwide.

International Zero Waste Day was declared by the UN General Assembly in 2022, and many events continue to be organized internationally as part of this initiative.

(Source: Anadolu Agency)