"Volunteering will reduce individualism as it spreads"

In her speech, Emine Erdoğan emphasized the importance of discussing environmental issues in different geographies and seeking solutions. She stated, "As volunteering spreads, I hope individualism will decrease, and humanity will realize that we are actually one family and the world is our common home. I believe this will bring healing and tranquility to hearts."

"If our children are well-equipped, they will overcome the world's problems"

Referring to the "Climate Ambassadors Project" initiated in Turkey to raise new generations as "climate volunteers," Erdoğan highlighted the importance of the "Climate Change Action Plan" developed in cooperation with the Ministry of National Education. She expressed that children, by gaining environmental awareness, will enlighten their families and communities. She shared the following information:

“We are establishing 'Climate Change Workshops' to reach sustainable development goals. To make the terminology understandable for all ages and education levels, we are preparing a 'Climate and Environmental Change Dictionary.' The 'Sustainable World Area,' which is accessible to all our students, contains over 200 different types of videos, games, interactive content, and visuals. I believe that the more equipped we raise our children, the stronger they will be in overcoming the problems of the world they will live in.”

Zero Waste Movement and Global Goals

Emine Erdoğan stated that the Zero Waste Project grew with the support of volunteers, saying, "The Zero Waste Project, which I started in 2017 and aimed not to leave waste that nature cannot dispose of, is actually a movement that rises on the shoulders of volunteers. As our project was embraced nationwide, it became possible to increase the recycling rate from 13% to 30% and contribute 3.5 billion dollars to the economy."

Erdoğan recalled that the Zero Waste movement has turned into a global initiative in cooperation with the UN and that March 30 has been declared "International Zero Waste Day." She expressed that the "High-Level Advisory Board on Zero Waste," which she chairs, aims to spread this practice.

"We should not leave a world that will be tested by climate refugees"

Emine Erdoğan drew attention to the pollution caused by plastic waste in the seas and the deepening effects of the climate crisis, stating, "We are all aware that we have no right to leave a world for future generations that will be tested by climate refugees. I truly believe that as the number of active climate volunteers increases worldwide, we will make our voices heard more and our tangible achievements will grow."

Call for Fair Climate Action and Gaza

At the end of her speech, Emine Erdoğan addressed the humanitarian crises in Gaza, saying, "It is inevitable to implement a fair climate action plan to convince Africa, Asia

, and Latin America to join this universal struggle. We also have no right to leave a world tainted by genocide to future generations. While a child is killed every 10 minutes in Gaza, can our call for intergenerational justice be heard in the conscience of the world?"

Exhibition and Events in Dubai

As part of the program, Emine Erdoğan visited the exhibition at the Turkey Pavilion and examined sculptures made from waste metals inspired by endangered wild birds. She also watched the performance of the traditional Turkish art of marbling. Additionally, she visited the Malaysia Pavilion with Queen Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah of Malaysia and the wife of the President of Suriname, Mellisa Santokhi-Seenacherry.

Visit to the Presidency's Communication Directorate Stand

Emine Erdoğan also visited the stand set up by the Directorate of Communications of the Presidency during COP28, where she reviewed books on Turkey's "Green Development Revolution" and "Zero Waste Journey." Visitors had the opportunity to support the movement by signing the "Zero Waste Goodwill Declaration"