A press conference was held to launch the Zero Waste Festival, attended by minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül and president of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 Climate High-Level Champion Samed Ağırbaş.
Running from June 1–7, the weeklong campaign features hundreds of events across Istanbul’s 39 districts and represents one of the most comprehensive environmental mobilizations ever undertaken in the city. The initiative forms part of the Zero Waste Foundation’s broader vision of transforming Istanbul into the world’s leading “Zero Waste Capital.” As part of the week’s activities, the Zero Waste Festival, which will take place in cooperation between the Zero Waste Foundation and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources from June 4–7, while the Zero Waste Forum will be held from June 5–7, both at Istanbul Atatürk Airport.
The campaign is being carried out under the vision of first lady Emine Erdoğan, founder of the Zero Waste Movement, Chair of the United Nations Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste and Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation. Through this initiative, Istanbul aims to promote a culture of sustainable living across all segments of society while advancing its long-term goals in resource efficiency, waste reduction and sustainable development.
