Istanbul Gathers Global Leaders Around Zero Waste Climate Action

Istanbul - COP31, the United Nations climate conference to be hosted by Türkiye in Antalya in November 2026, is being framed less as another negotiating stop than as a test of delivery. For the Zero Waste Foundation, that means turning climate commitments into partnerships, financed projects and systems that cities can implement.

Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 Climate High-Level Champion, has used international engagements to sharpen that message. At the Global Baku Forum, he met policymakers, youth and civil society, stressing practical implementation, regional cooperation and community participation.

In the United States, UN-related engagements including the Commission on the Status of Women and the International Day of Zero Waste linked zero waste with gender inclusion and sustainable consumption. In Washington, during the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, the Foundation positioned COP31 as an implementation event centred on climate finance, resilience, bankable projects and local impact.

At the Second Africa Urban Forum in Nairobi, Ağırbaş emphasised climate justice, sustainable cities, circular economy solutions and equal partnerships with Africa. In Paris, on the sidelines of G7-related events, talks focused on COP31 preparations, circular economy cooperation, methane reduction, climate finance and measurable outcomes. At UNFCCC Climate Week in Yeosu, South Korea, he presented COP31 Antalya as a solution and execution platform linking finance, investment and delivery. Back in Baku for WUF13, the Foundation connected rapid urbanisation, housing demand, climate pressure and circular, low-carbon urban systems to the COP31 agenda.

Road to Antalya

That build-up converged in Istanbul at the Zero Waste Forum 2026, organised by the Zero Waste Foundation at Atatürk Airport from 5-7 June. Held under the theme 'Road to Antalya: Zero Waste as Climate Action', it welcomed more than 120 ministers from 183 countries, hundreds of mayors and more than 5,000 participants.

For the Zero Waste Movement, founded under the vision of H.E. Emine Erdoğan, Chair of the UN High-Level Advisory Board on Zero Waste and Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, the forum functioned as the largest rehearsal ahead of COP31 in Antalya.

Zero waste was positioned not simply as waste management, but as a climate action tool built on prevention, systems change and implementation capacity. The forum was not a negotiation arena for formal agreements. It supported COP31-aligned initiatives through announcements, collaboration development and readiness work.

Across 247 speakers and a three-day programme, the agenda covered food waste and methane action, with one full thematic day dedicated to the issue. High-Level Ministerial Sessions focused on industry and technology, agriculture and forestry, and energy and natural resources. Outputs included the Road to Antalya Declaration, City Action Commitments Package, Food Waste and Methane Action Guide, and Partnership and Project Pipeline.

The forum was also the central event of Zero Waste Week, organised by the Governorship of Istanbul in cooperation with the Zero Waste Foundation from 1-7 June. Alongside it, the Zero Waste Festival brought exhibitions, workshops, cultural events and interactive learning areas. Together, they turned Istanbul into a platform where policy dialogue met public engagement.

'Climate diplomacy should connect governments with communities'

Despite his busy schedule, Samed Ağırbaş answered our questions about COP31 and Türkiye.

- Why has zero waste become central to Türkiye's COP31 vision?

Zero waste is often misunderstood as collection or recycling. Those are important, but the real agenda starts by preventing waste, using resources efficiently and redesigning systems. When production, consumption, food systems and cities become more circular, emissions fall.

- What does Türkiye want COP31 to achieve?

The priority is implementation. The world does not need another round of abstract commitments that stay on paper. COP31 should help partnerships form, finance reach the ground, projects become bankable and cities move faster.

- Why do cities, food waste and methane matter so much?

Cities are where infrastructure, consumption and daily habits meet. Food waste and methane are practical areas where faster progress is possible because the solutions connect households, municipalities, producers and finance.

- How should international cooperation change after COP31?

It must become more equal and more useful. Climate diplomacy should connect governments with youth, women, civil society, business and local leaders. Partnerships should respect climate justice and move beyond declarations to implementation that works in real places.