At the symposium, moderated by Atsushi Sunami, the President of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation's Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI-SPF), topics were discussed regarding how G-20 member countries and international organizations can promote the sustainability of ocean resources, as well as what individuals can do to protect the ocean and marine environment.

In the Q&A session of the symposium, Emine Erdoğan shared details about the Zero Waste Blue project, initiated under her patronage in Turkey to protect marine and water resources.

"IF WE TAKE THE RIGHT STEPS, FISH, NOT PLASTICS, WILL SWIM IN THE OCEANS BY 2050"

Emine Erdoğan expressed concerns about the threats facing the planet, stating, "We have a bit of time to write a new future scenario. If we take the right steps, fish, not plastics, will be swimming in the oceans by 2050."

She emphasized the need to transcend borders when it comes to environmental protection and to act with a shared conscience, stating, "When a country sends its waste to a landfill kilometers away from itself, it does not mean it has gotten rid of the trash. Those wastes come back to us as fish plates filled with microplastics."

"WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO BUILD A LIVABLE FUTURE FOR CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD"

Emine Erdoğan highlighted the significant responsibility of building a livable future for the world's children, mentioning that this responsibility led her to launch the zero waste campaign in Turkey.

She underscored that Turkey is engaged in multi-faceted efforts with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change to promote a zero waste culture and combat marine litter. Their main goal is to sort waste at its source and utilize it in recycling.

Emine Erdoğan noted that zero waste systems have been established in public institutions, and applications have begun in schools and military facilities. She pointed out that children are being educated on this issue, and the introduction of charges for plastic bags has resulted in a 70% reduction in their use.

She mentioned that they receive significant support from the media and civil society organizations, and that artists have also contributed to awareness-raising efforts. Exhibitions titled "From Waste to Art" have been held across Turkey.

"WE SHOULD USE TECHNOLOGY AS A TOOL TO INCREASE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS"

Emine Erdoğan stated that Turkey is ready to support any projects aimed at protecting nature on international platforms. She expressed her belief in the importance of developing comprehensive environmental projects among young people living in different geographies. "We should use technology, the most significant opportunity of our time, as a tool to combat marine litter and increase environmental awareness," she assessed.

After the symposium, all the leaders' spouses sent a message about ocean cleanliness using paper fish. Emine Erdoğan, holding a paper fish, remarked, "We are facing a major environmental crisis. We are essentially living in a plastic age. Research shows that by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans. The legacy that 21st-century civilizations leave behind should not be plastic oceans and garbage mountains. We must adopt eco-friendly practices in our daily lives and make 'zero waste' our life principle."

Students from schools in the Kansai Region, which includes Osaka Bay, where ocean education is provided, also attended the symposium.