Emine Erdogan Addressed Global Climate Week Summit
The Turkish first lady spoke on the importance of international Zero Waste efforts in New York.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Environmental
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Emine Erdogan, chair of the UN High-Level Advisory Board on Zero Waste, addressed the New York Climate Week opening. She highlighted global challenges regarding plastic waste as leaders discuss future environmental policy.
Why it matters
The speech emphasized that climate change stems from human activity and necessitates a fundamental shift in moral attitudes toward consumption. It also focused on promoting infrastructure that supports product repairability and durability.
Since 1950, global plastic production has reached 9.2 billion tons, with 7 billion tons ending up as waste. Türkiye has successfully increased its national waste recovery rate from 13% to over 37% since 2017.
The players
Emine Erdogan
She is the first lady of Türkiye and currently chairs the UN High-Level Advisory Board on Zero Waste.
United Nations General Assembly
This is the primary policy-making organ of the United Nations which adopted the international Zero Waste resolution in 2022.
The details
The Zero Waste movement promotes behavioral changes and the development of policies that prioritize reusability and repair. These practices were first implemented at the Turkish presidential complex in 2017 to provide a framework for broader adoption.
Timeline
Plastic production data has been tracked since 1950.
Zero Waste practices launched at the Turkish presidential complex in 2017.
The UN General Assembly adopted a Zero Waste resolution in 2022.
Emine Erdogan spoke at New York Climate Week in September 2026.
Türkiye is scheduled to host COP31 in November 2026.
The Big Picture
This effort aligns with the objectives set by the UN General Assembly's Zero Waste resolution to standardize global waste management. It marks a shift toward integrating national circular economy models into the broader international climate agenda.
Adopting Zero Waste habits can lead to lower personal consumption costs through the prioritization of repairable and durable goods. Broader policy shifts may eventually influence the availability and pricing of single-use materials in the consumer market.
The takeaway
The transition to a sustainable future relies on both individual behavioral changes and structural policy improvements. Readers can contribute by focusing on the longevity and reusability of products in their own daily lives.
What happens next
Türkiye will host COP31 in November 2026, where further discussions on international climate and waste policy are expected to take place.
Further reading
Learn more about ongoing sustainability efforts in our Environmental section.
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Do you believe small individual lifestyle changes are enough to meaningfully address the climate crisis?
