Global Zero Waste Alliance wins international backing at COP31 in Türkiye

Resumen detallado

First ladies and representatives from several countries praise Emine Erdogan’s leadership in advancing the initiative, calling for stronger international cooperation, climate financing and technology transfers to tackle the growing waste crisis.

Spouses of the world leaders and senior international officials have voiced strong support for the newly launched Global Zero Waste Alliance, describing an initiative spearheaded by Türkiye’s First Lady Emine Erdogan as an international movement capable of driving collective action against the mounting waste crisis.

Speaking at the High-Level Meeting of Spouses of Heads of State and Government, held on Friday on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, participants welcomed the alliance and called for stronger partnerships, sustainable financing and greater public participation to advance its goals.

Ziroat Mirziyoyeva, wife of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, praised Erdogan’s leadership, saying the zero waste initiative had evolved into an international movement.

"The zero waste initiative that began under your leadership has today turned into an international movement," she said, expressing Uzbekistan’s full support for the establishment of the Global Zero Waste Alliance.

Mirziyoyeva said the initiative was rooted in valuing nature’s resources, preventing waste and fulfilling responsibilities towards future generations.

She warned that rising populations and consumption were contributing to growing volumes of waste, citing UN Environment Programme estimates that global municipal solid waste could reach 3.8 billion tonnes annually by 2050.

She also highlighted the estimated one billion tonnes of food wasted worldwide each year as a serious cause for concern.

Noting that the effects of the climate crisis were becoming increasingly severe in Central Asia, Mirziyoyeva said environmental protection and climate adaptation had become key priorities of Uzbekistan’s national policy.

Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, also welcomed the alliance, describing Erdogan’s leadership in advancing the zero waste agenda as "truly inspiring".

Inicio del artículo, extracto de TRT World. Para leer el resto, abra el artículo en el sitio del medio.