Antonio Guterres Applauds Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan’s Zero Waste Leadership
New York, The Gulf Observer: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has commended Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan for her pioneering efforts in championing zero waste initiatives, expressing gratitude for her visionary leadership in critical areas such as waste reduction.
In a video message delivered to the March 30 International Zero Waste Day event held at the UN Headquarters in New York, Guterres extended appreciation to Turkey for hosting the event in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme and UN-Habitat. He specifically lauded First Lady Emine Erdogan for her instrumental role in advancing zero waste practices.
Guterres underscored the significance of the Zero Waste Advisory Board, which has been instrumental in fostering collaboration among stakeholders to address waste management challenges and translate zero waste principles into actionable strategies.
Emphasizing the importance of government investment in waste management programs focused on reuse, recycling, recovery, and waste prevention, Guterres called for the establishment of circular economies to tackle resource depletion and enhance resource management.
In urging global unity towards signing a legally binding agreement to combat plastic pollution, Guterres emphasized the collective responsibility of the international community in addressing environmental challenges, particularly on Zero Waste Day.
The Turkish First Lady has been at the forefront of the zero waste movement in Turkey, spearheading initiatives that have garnered global recognition. Her leadership culminated in the passage of a UN General Assembly resolution in December 2022, endorsing zero waste principles and underscoring their importance on a global scale.
Recognizing the significance of the International Day of Zero Waste, the UN aims to promote responsible production and consumption patterns while advocating for a shift towards a lifecycle approach in waste management.
The commendation by the UN Secretary-General highlights the importance of collaborative efforts and visionary leadership in advancing sustainable practices and addressing pressing environmental concerns.
