The "zero waste" resolution submitted to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly within the scope of Turkey's efforts to combat climate change and sustainable development plans was adopted. Thus, the "Zero Waste Project" carried out under the auspices of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan was supported by the UN General Assembly resolution. With this decision, the General Assembly declared March 30th as the International Zero Waste Day.
The resolution encourages UN member states and international and regional organizations to implement zero waste initiatives, emphasizing the need to continue to address zero waste initiatives, environmentally sensitive waste management, sustainable consumption and production within the UN. The resolution asks UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to establish a 3-year advisory board based on knowledge, experience and expertise, consisting of volunteers and distinguished individuals, taking into account gender balance and fair geographical representation, to promote local and national zero waste initiatives. The resolution, which demands that zero waste initiatives be included in the UN Environment Programme's next Global Waste Management Outlook report, demands that the President of the UN General Assembly hold a high-level meeting on "zero waste" and the "10-Year Framework Programme for Sustainable Production and Consumption Models" in 2023.
The statement said:
"To achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we understand the strong link between sustainable waste management and climate change, and accept ways to prevent, reduce, recycle and reuse waste. We are committed to implementing sustainable waste management practices." We pledge to promote a zero-waste approach worldwide and share best practices for its wider recognition and implementation. We also pledge to support initiatives, campaigns, programmes, projects and activities on zero waste to promote responsible waste generation and consumption.
We are committed to sharing the lessons and best practices learned from projects such as Turkey's Zero Waste Project while encouraging the development of similar policies on waste management. We call on UN member states, UN system institutions and members of civil society, the private sector, the media and local governments to align their strategies, approaches and responses to help accelerate the global transition to a circular economy and reduce the negative impact of waste on climate change."
