Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Murat Kurum, and Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu attended the program where Emine Erdoğan spoke, emphasizing that ambassadors build bridges not only between states but also among civilizations, bringing the hearts of nations closer together.

Highlighting Turkey's "geographical heartland" for the lands it loves and is loved in, Emine Erdoğan stated, “Each of you represents the countries in our borderless geographical heartland and you are here today as a symbol of great brotherhood.”

Emine Erdoğan noted that the world is facing severe challenges such as increasing conflicts, migrations, pandemics, and climate and food crises caused by unlimited consumption. She remarked, “However, today we see that humanity's greatest test is to save virtues like compassion, selfless kindness, and responsibility towards others from the erosion they have suffered. Each crisis we experience calls humanity to become one heart, while we sadly observe that international solidarity is gradually eroding and self-centered approaches are gaining value instead of cooperation.”

She emphasized that the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that “one cannot fully heal without soothing the wounds of others,” adding, “The story of every person who leaves their home to escape war and destruction, regardless of their language, religion, or race, touches all our hearts equally.”

Emine Erdoğan pointed out that natural disasters, which know no borders, remind us once again of the fact that we are all in the same boat when it comes to the climate crisis. She assessed, “What we need is to remember that we are all members of the same 'human family,' even if we were born in different geographies, and to establish the environment of brotherhood and affection embodied in this hall throughout the world. At this point, it is our responsibility to act with the awareness that ‘there is no one where I am not,’ without waiting for others to take action.”

Emine Erdoğan underscored that Turkey approaches issues not just from a perspective of interests but with a conscience, inspired by its cultural and belief world, stating that humanitarian and development assistance activities are carried out in over 140 countries through institutions like TİKA, Turkish Red Crescent, Turkey Maarif Foundation, and Yunus Emre Institute, with thousands of projects realized.

She emphasized, “There are no winners in war, and there are no losers in just peace.” She highlighted their efforts through civil initiatives like the African Handicrafts and Cultural House Association, working towards the establishment of a just world for everyone.

Emine Erdoğan noted that Turkey hosts over 4 million refugees and has maintained its position as the country that provides the most aid relative to its national income for years. She recalled that last year, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Family and Social Services, Ukrainian, Crimean, and Tatar orphaned children were brought to Turkey as guests.

Continuing her remarks, she stated, “It should not be forgotten that there are no winners in war. There are no losers in just peace. With this perspective, we extend our hand of friendship and brotherhood wherever there is a victim, from Ukraine to Syria, from Palestine to Myanmar. Sometimes we bring conflicting parties together at the diplomatic table we establish, and sometimes we prevent global crises with initiatives like the Istanbul Grain Agreement. Until yesterday, we continued the ‘Ottoman Peace’ that prevailed in our geography with the principle of ‘Peace at Home, Peace in the World’ throughout the world.”

Emine Erdoğan remarked that humanity's primary duty is to build and improve, and it is unacceptable for humans to choose destruction against nature. She concluded, “If we do not take effective and concrete steps at the global level today, there will be no living space on which we can establish peace and justice. The climate crisis stands before us as a life-and-death struggle not only for nature but for each of us. In such a situation, we take pride in being part of the solution rather than the problem, demonstrating our moral stance in all crises of the world, including environmental issues.”

Emine Erdoğan recalled that the Zero Waste Project, initiated five years ago with the dream of a more livable and just world, has gained international recognition for its successes. She stated, “The Zero Waste movement has received five international awards, three of which are from United Nations offices and programs.”

She shared that the “Zero Waste Goodwill Declaration,” signed in September following their meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, is a symbol of this common hope. She also mentioned Turkey's resolution, which was accepted unanimously during the UN General Assembly with the joint sponsorship of 105 countries, promoting the implementation of Zero Waste practices to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.

Emine Erdoğan thanked the co-sponsoring countries for their support to heal the wounds of the world. She announced that March 30 will now be celebrated worldwide as International Zero Waste Day.

She added, “I would like to share another positive development with you. We have started initiatives to expand the implementation of Zero Waste worldwide through the establishment of a Zero Waste Advisory Board within the United Nations. We are ready to share our accumulated experience and knowledge with all countries that wish, without leaving anyone behind. Remember, we are always one person short without you. I invite each of you to listen to the cry of nature, which manifests as floods, fires, and drought in different geographies, and to walk shoulder to shoulder with us on this path as members of the human family.”

Emine Erdoğan expressed the view that many of humanity's issues, such as war, poverty, injustice, and the climate crisis, stem from a lack of compassion, and highlighted the significant responsibility ambassadors have in reviving compassion and love.

She extended her thanks to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change for their contributions to the success of the Zero Waste Project.

During the program, a digital data art exhibition titled “The Paths of My Home,” which tells the journey of the endangered caretta caretta turtles, was also presented to the guests. 

Media artist Süleyman Yılmaz, who organized the exhibition with artist Hasan Yılmaz, explained that the exhibition was prepared using data on the movements of caretta caretta turtles from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change.

Yılmaz stated that the exhibition aims to raise awareness about protecting marine life and the destruction caused by waste on sea creatures.

A special stand was created in the area of the exhibition to present the five-year journey of the Zero Waste movement in English, along with books on our shared home and the environment.

The menu served to guests at the “Zero Waste for Our Common Home” themed program was prepared according to the “zero waste” principle in collaboration with Ömür Akkor, author of the Anatolian Cuisine book, and chefs from the Presidential Complex. The menu featured waste-free dishes such as “pırtike soup” made from the roots of spinach and leftover bread.

A video presentation addressing the fight against zero waste and climate crisis was also shown during the program, where the Paraguayan music group “Recycled Orchestra Cateura Landfill Harmonic” performed with instruments made from recycled materials.