Dr. Kübranur Birtek represented our university at the International Zero Waste Forum organized under the leadership of the Zero Waste Foundation.
The opening session of the forum was attended by Emine Erdoğan, the global pioneer of the Zero Waste Movement and Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation; Mukhtar Babayev, Climate Change Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan; Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum; Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı; UN-Habitat Executive Director Anaclaudia Rossbach; and Tatiana Molcean, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
Held under the coordination of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) with the participation of representatives from all universities in Türkiye, the forum brought together participants from 104 countries and 118 partner organizations. Throughout the three-day program, experts from around the world exchanged views on environmental and sustainability issues, creating a global network of interaction. By taking part in this international platform through its Sustainability Office, our University strengthened the role of universities in environmental policies and drew attention with its work on zero waste.
Within the scope of the forum—announced to be institutionalized and held annually—the past, present, and future of the zero waste approach were discussed under the themes of policy, innovation, urbanization, and technology. Participants exchanged ideas with the aim of developing lasting solutions to environmental challenges and taking collective steps toward a sustainable future. It is expected that our University’s extensive efforts in the field of sustainability will be further strengthened through its contribution to this important international gathering, giving new momentum to waste management practices on campuses.
