Global leaders unite in Istanbul to accelerate zero-waste pledges ahead of COP31
The Global Zero Waste Forum opened in Istanbul on Friday under the leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, uniting ministers, UN officials and climate experts from 183 countries to accelerate zero-waste initiatives ahead of Türkiye’s hosting of COP31 in Antalya this November. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Erdoğan described the zero-waste movement as a “transformative bridge” that unites diverse climate strategies into a coherent global response. The forum, attended by thousands of delegates, marks the latest diplomatic push to position waste reduction as a cornerstone of climate diplomacy before the high-stakes climate summit later this year.
Government ministers from across Europe, Asia and Africa joined UN Environment Programme representatives to outline national pledges aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat used the platform to reiterate calls for a rules-based multilateral trade system centered on the World Trade Organization, warning against rising protectionism during bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting in Paris. Meanwhile, Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan reassured investors that Türkiye’s reinforced financial buffers and improving current account deficit position the country to withstand severe global economic shocks, remarks delivered at the Global Islamic Economy Summit in Istanbul.
The forum’s timing underscores Türkiye’s ambition to leverage soft power ahead of COP31. High-level contacts continued on Saturday as Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka, the fourth stop on a regional tour aimed at strengthening ties across the Asia-Pacific. The diplomatic momentum follows Azerbaijan’s recent hosting of the 13th UN World Urban Forum, which highlighted sustainable urban development as a parallel track to zero-waste strategies.
Analysts see the Istanbul gathering as a litmus test for whether zero-waste commitments can translate into binding international agreements. The forum’s final declaration is expected to call for standardized metrics on waste reduction, technology transfer and financing mechanisms to support low- and middle-income countries. With COP31 just five months away, the Istanbul summit signals that waste management is no longer a niche issue but a central pillar of global climate negotiations.
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