Istanbul, December 13, 2024 – The Europe Today: Türkiye’s First Lady Emine Erdoğan presided over the third official meeting of the United Nations (UN) Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste at the Presidential Dolmabahçe Office in Istanbul on Friday. In her opening remarks, Erdoğan called for global unity to address the mounting challenges of the climate crisis and waste management, underscoring the urgency of collective action.
“Despite everything, a fairer world is possible,” she declared. “It is achievable through our shared efforts. We are all partners in this vision.”
Addressing Environmental Damage
First Lady Erdoğan highlighted the severe environmental damage caused by both historical and current crises. Reflecting on the aftermath of World War II, she noted the lingering environmental impacts that remain unresolved to this day. She also drew attention to the devastating contemporary conflicts, particularly referencing Israeli attacks in Gaza.
“Today, a single country can deploy explosives equivalent to three atomic bombs over a civilian area half the size of New York,” Erdoğan stated. She cited data from the UN Environment Programme, emphasizing that cleaning up the 39 million tons of debris in Gaza could take decades, with recycling even half of the waste projected to span 45 years.
Erdoğan urged the global community to channel resources into repairing the planet rather than perpetuating destruction, warning of the long-term consequences for future generations.
The Zero Waste Vision
First Lady Erdoğan championed the philosophy of zero waste as a transformative approach to address environmental challenges. She stressed its potential to reverse harmful consumption patterns and promote sustainability.
“Zero waste offers a roadmap to reverse this destructive trajectory and establish a sustainable way of life,” she said. She encouraged the UN Advisory Board to advocate for this philosophy on a global scale, spotlighting March 30, International Zero Waste Day, as a critical moment to raise awareness and mobilize action.
She also sounded the alarm on humanity’s overuse of natural resources, pointing to this year’s Overshoot Day, which occurred just seven months into 2024. “From that point onward, every act of consumption has been theft from the future,” Erdoğan remarked.
Plans for Future Action
Erdoğan announced the establishment of a 2025 Zero Waste and Climate Change Forum. The event aims to unite countries, sectors, and organizations in advancing the goals of the zero waste initiative. She also highlighted the need for unified leadership to bring diverse regional efforts under a cohesive vision.
“Despite the crises we face, we hold on to great dreams and unshakable hope,” Erdoğan concluded. “With collective will, a fairer and more liveable world is within reach.”
The meeting served as a platform to solidify global efforts in tackling environmental crises, reinforcing the importance of immediate action to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
