Turkey's First Lady, Emine Erdogan, urges for collective action to combat environmental degradation and advance sustainability, cautioning about the imminent threat of rivers disappearing.

Turkey's First Lady delivered a poignant address at an International Day of Zero Waste event in Nairobi, Kenya, highlighting the pressing need for collective action to combat environmental challenges and promote sustainability.

Emine Erdogan lamented the precarious state of Earth's ecosystems, cautioning against the potential disappearance of rivers due to excessive consumption and the widespread contamination of soil by chemical waste.

She drew attention to the human toll of environmental degradation, noting that air pollution claims the lives of 7 million people annually, and highlighted the alarming 70 percent decline in global wildlife populations since 1970.

Additionally, the First Lady emphasized the severe environmental consequences of generating two billion tons of waste annually, particularly through plastic pollution. She pointed out that the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks filled with plastics are dumped into oceans, rivers, and lakes every day.

"Are we content with the fact that there's a continent-sized island of plastic floating in our oceans, a result of actions in this century?" Erdogan challenged the audience, urging them to confront the repercussions of unsustainable practices.

Reflecting on the origins of the zero waste movement, Erdogan expressed satisfaction with its global expansion, culminating in the UN General Assembly's adoption of a resolution in December 2022 supporting zero waste principles.

"At the heart of the zero waste approach lies the recognition that every resource we consume must be used responsibly," she emphasized, underlining the significance of mindful consumption and production choices.

"As chair of the United Nations Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste, I firmly believe that promoting awareness of waste-free and sustainable living will be one of the most valuable legacies we can leave for future generations," Erdogan declared, expressing optimism for a future where resources are optimized, waste is minimized, and sustainability prevails.

Inger Andersen, executive director of the UN Environment Program, underscored that the International Day of Zero Waste serves as a poignant reminder that "our planet cannot indefinitely provide resources while receiving pollution in return."

During her address, she emphasized the urgent need to tackle poorly managed waste, which not only jeopardizes human health but also the health of the planet. Turkish Ambassador to Kenya, Subutay Yuksel, also spoke at the meeting, praising Erdogan's forward-thinking proposals, such as declaring a year of zero waste and establishing a global zero waste fund overseen by the advisory board.

Guven Begec, Türkiye’s Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, highlighted that Türkiye's journey towards zero waste began with the personal dedication of the first lady.

Begec highlighted that it has become a national policy implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation, and Climate Change.

"Our goal is to raise the recovery rate of recyclable waste to 60% by 2035, a significant increase from 13% in 2017 and 35% in 2023," Begec explained.

He expressed a wish to see the zero waste agenda gain more prominence in forums such as the G7, G20, UN COP climate change conferences, and Pacific Island Forum meetings.

"Waste pollution poses a threat to human health, exacts a heavy toll on the global economy, and exacerbates the triple planetary crisis," Begec cautioned.

According to the UN, the International Day of Zero Waste promotes responsible production and consumption patterns, encouraging a shift towards a lifecycle approach.