Accompanied by the Minister of Family and Social Policies, Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya, Emine Erdoğan's first stop in İzmir was a meeting with the spouses of governors from Turkey's 81 provinces at the Kaya İzmir Thermal Hotel. The meeting, hosted by Dilek Didem Ayyıldız, the wife of İzmir Governor Erol Ayyıldız, was held as part of the "Ambassadors of the Heart" project initiated in 2012. During the gathering, the efforts led by the governors' spouses were evaluated.

“Orphaned Children Are Our Collective Responsibility”

In her speech at the meeting, Emine Erdoğan highlighted the significance of the "Ambassadors of the Heart" project, discussing campaigns like "Foster Families" and "Abundant Forests." She called for mobilization in foster family initiatives, urging the governors' spouses to take care of orphaned and abandoned children in their cities and to promote the foster family project. Emine Erdoğan pointed out that small steps can nurture hope in the lives of thousands of children and allow hundreds of families to experience the joy of providing a home for a child. She stated, “Human beings are entrusted to one another. These orphaned children are entrusted to all of us. Blessed is the one who fulfills this humanitarian duty properly and supports this beautiful solidarity.”

ZERO WASTE PROJECT

Emine Erdoğan requested that the governors' spouses lead the "Zero Waste Project," which is overseen by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, encouraging them to involve local institutions in this initiative. She emphasized that the culture of single-use items has posed a serious environmental problem globally. Inviting all of Turkey to join the project, she mentioned that institutions and organizations could apply to the General Directorate of Environment of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change for more information about the project.

Following the event, Emine Erdoğan visited stands showcasing products made by women participants in public education centers at the same hotel. She planted saplings in the area in front of the hotel as part of the "Abundant Forests" initiative established within the "Ambassadors of the Heart" project. The event aimed to plant over 1 million saplings across Turkey by March 21, 2018, which is recognized as World Forestry Day, and Emine Erdoğan planted a blue fir sapling.

Later, Emine Erdoğan attended a ceremony for distributing recycling bins to schools organized by the İzmir Provincial Directorate of National Education at the Şehit Ömer Halisdemir Girls’ Anatolian Imam Hatip High School in Konak. In her speech to the students, she reiterated the importance of recycling waste, emphasizing that failure to sort waste leads to the pollution of soil, air, and water.

“Small Habits Can Make a Big Contribution to Our Country”

In her address, Emine Erdoğan shared that the "Zero Waste Project," initiated by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, was first implemented in the ministry's building for three months, resulting in the separation of 60 tons of waste (including 45 tons of paper, 11 tons of plastic, 2.5 tons of glass, and 1 ton of metal) without sending it to landfills. This achievement prevented the cutting of 766 trees and the release of 8 tons of greenhouse gases, saving 164 barrels of oil and 4 tons of ore from unnecessary use. Emine Erdoğan encouraged the youth, asking, “Wouldn’t you also want to make such a significant contribution to our country with small habits?”

She pointed out that this investment is for their future, stating that a cleaner environment and a stronger economy would benefit their lives the most. Additionally, she advised students to have at least one foreign language, an artistic skill, and a habit of engaging in sports alongside their profession.

Emine Erdoğan then participated in the opening of the new service building of the Green Crescent İzmir Branch. After a prayer led by the İzmir Mufti Ramazan Muslu, she cut the ribbon, wishing for the building to be beneficial.