During an event held at the Presidential Complex, Beştepe State Guest House, Emine Erdoğan, the wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was awarded the "Waste Wise Cities Global Champion" award by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) for her support of the "Smart Cities in Waste Management" initiative, her stewardship of the Zero Waste Project, and her contributions to the environment.

The award, which includes elements such as promoting the Waste Wise Cities initiative through social media, press releases, events, active participation in activities organized under the initiative, and attending high-level meetings on the sidelines of the World Urban Forum and the UN General Assembly, was presented to Emine Erdoğan for the first time.

In her speech at the ceremony, Maimunah Mohd Sharif, the head of UN-Habitat, emphasized that Erdoğan's efforts in waste management should be emulated, calling the Zero Waste Project a successful initiative.

Sharif referenced the achievements from 2017 to 2020, stating, "Turkey saved 397 million tons of raw materials, 315 million kilowatt-hours of energy, 345 million cubic meters of water, and 50 million barrels of oil during the period from 2017 to 2020. The Zero Waste Project protects and preserves the country for future generations."

Noting that UN-Habitat initiated the Waste Wise Cities initiative in response to the global waste crisis, Sharif mentioned that 200 cities from around the world have participated in this initiative. She expressed satisfaction in witnessing the results of the Zero Waste Project, stating, "Turkey's success will inspire global leaders to come together to address the challenges of waste management in our cities."