Emine Erdoğan was presented with the AKDENİZ-PA "Zero Waste" project award at the Presidential Complex's State Guesthouse. The award was handed over by Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, Mehmet Özhaseki, in recognition of the project's success. The award was originally received on May 15th during a ceremony in Braga, Portugal.

Emine Erdoğan, who chairs the United Nations' High-Level Advisory Board on Zero Waste, shared her thoughts on the award, emphasizing that the Zero Waste movement has now become a global initiative. She expressed her happiness in accepting the award on behalf of all those who have embraced the project and contributed to its development, referring to them as "environmental heroes."

She further highlighted the significance of the project's international recognition as an important achievement for Turkey. She said, "This award is not just a certificate of success but also a symbol of Turkey's deep commitment to environmental awareness and the determined steps it has taken towards a sustainable future."

Minister Özhaseki also emphasized the importance of the Zero Waste movement for Turkey, noting its success both domestically and globally. He added that the project had become a Turkish brand recognized worldwide and praised the opportunity to present Turkey's environmental projects in front of an audience from nearly 40 countries. He also expressed pride in receiving this prestigious environmental award on behalf of the country.

Launched under the patronage of Emine Erdoğan in 2017, the Zero Waste project has won numerous international accolades, including the FAO "Zero Waste, Zero Hunger" Award in 2018 and the UNDP Sustainable Development Goals Award in 2021. The project was also recognized by the United Nations, and December 14th, 2022, marked the adoption of a UN General Assembly resolution declaring March 30th as "International Zero Waste Day."

Emine Erdoğan took to social media to share her thoughts, stating that the Zero Waste project had grown into a movement that resonated globally, and the recognition of this effort reflects Turkey's resolute stance on climate change and environmental issues. She thanked all those involved, especially the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, and the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly, for their support.