ISTANBUL

The head of the UN Development Program (UNDP) on Monday signed a Global Zero Waste Declaration of Goodwill after meeting with Turkish first lady Emine Erdogan during the COP29 UN climate change conference in Azerbaijan.

Erdogan, who chairs the UN Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste and spearheaded Türkiye’s local zero waste initiative, met with the UNDP’s Achim Steiner to discuss sustainable waste management and Türkiye’s approach to reducing emissions.

She hailed Steiner signing the pledge as showing “determination to carry the common burden of our world.”

“Every signature, every step is a call to protect our planet’s balance,” she added.

The discussions covered Türkiye’s waste management practices and strategies for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

They also reviewed the UNDP’s efforts in waste management in regions impacted by Türkiye’s February 2022 earthquakes, the first lady wrote on X.

Steiner praised Erdogan’s leadership on zero waste, commending her for initiatives that have made a tangible impact.

He highlighted food waste as a major concern, noting that 30-40% of global food is discarded, contributing around 10% of greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing food waste is crucial for both food security and emissions reduction, he said.

The Global Zero Waste Declaration, introduced at last year’s UN General Assembly, aims to advance sustainable practices worldwide.