Turkish President Erdogan signs 'Global Zero Waste' goodwill declaration in New York

(Patria) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the 'Global Zero Waste' goodwill declaration last night, a campaign led by First Lady of Turkiye Emine Erdogan, on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, reports Anadolu.

The signing ceremony, led by the president's wife, was held at the diplomatic headquarters of Turkevi Center as part of the "Road to Global Zero Waste Movement" event.

President Erdogan became the first zero waste volunteer by being the first signatory of the Global Zero Waste Goodwill Declaration, which is available for individual participation on the Global Zero Waste Movement website.

The Turkish leader signed the declaration online on Monday on the website zerowastecommitment.com, which was made available for signatures for the first time.

Erdogan said that Turkiye will continue its multifaceted efforts in the fight against the climate change crisis and environmental pollution.

"Turkiye strives to properly fulfill its duties towards future generations," Erdogan stated.

During her address, First Lady of Turkiye Emine Erdogan said that the declaration, which represents the initial phase of the global expansion of the Zero Waste movement, is open for signing in cooperation with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

"Let us unite for our common home, the world, and amplify our voices. My call has been met with enthusiasm by numerous prominent environmental advocates, especially UN officials and leaders' spouses," said Erdogan.

She thanked Turkish President Erdogan for his support and for being the first signatory of the global support campaign.

As stated on the website, the declaration recognizes the importance of efficient resource use, waste reduction, development of recycling, and other steps to align with the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

"We commit to promoting a zero-waste approach worldwide and sharing best practices for its wider recognition and implementation," the movement's website states.

The Zero Waste Project, launched in Turkiye by First Lady Emine Erdogan, was also supported internationally last year by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The goodwill declaration, signed by both the First Lady of Turkiye and the UN chief, was also supported by the spouses of nearly 30 heads of state, including those from France, South Korea, Paraguay, and Cuba.