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Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Gülfettin Çelik, attended the opening ceremony of the Zero Waste Forum, organized under the patronage of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan and coordinated by the Istanbul Governor’s Office and the Zero Waste Foundation.

Now in its second year and considered one of the world’s most comprehensive international environmental gatherings, the forum is taking place June 5–7, 2026, at Istanbul Atatürk Airport under the theme “The Road to Antalya: Zero Waste as Climate Action.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Emine Erdoğan highlighted that climate change is a global issue affecting all of humanity, emphasizing that the zero-waste movement is not merely a waste management approach but also an effective model for climate action. Erdoğan stated that the zero-waste philosophy plays a transformative role in many areas, from resource conservation to sustainable development, and noted that the forum serves as an important platform to strengthen international cooperation ahead of the COP31 Climate Summit.

Bringing together representatives from 183 countries, over 500 institutions and organizations, and more than 5,000 participants, the forum addresses topics such as the circular economy, sustainable development, resource efficiency, environmental policies, and the fight against climate change. In sessions attended by representatives from public institutions, international organizations, academia, the private sector, and civil society, solutions and best practices for global environmental challenges are being shared.

The Zero Waste Forum aims to contribute to strengthening international cooperation in the fields of environment and climate and to developing new initiatives for a shared future.