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An Istanbul-based environmental foundation headed by Turkish first lady Emine Erdogan as its honorary president has prepared a sustainability framework document for the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), which Türkiye will chair and host in 2026.
The framework, developed by the Zero Waste Foundation, aims to reduce carbon emissions, optimize resource use and make environmental performance measurable for all stakeholders involved in the conference.
The Sustainable COP31 Framework offers what the foundation describes as an internationally aligned roadmap. It includes zero-waste management protocols, carbon-reduction and offsetting strategies, sustainable logistics and transport planning, environmental standards for venues, and mechanisms to ensure stakeholder engagement and transparency.
The foundation said preparations for COP31 should extend beyond technical infrastructure and be supported by a broad, multi-stakeholder ecosystem across Türkiye.
As part of this effort, the Zero Waste Foundation is conducting policy development work with universities and research centers, engaging with local administrations on sustainable city practices, and holding consultations with businesses on production models. These efforts aim to accelerate the private sector’s low-carbon transition while raising public awareness.
In a statement, Zero Waste Foundation President Samed Agirbas said the zero-waste vision is now recognized not only as an environmental policy but as a concrete, measurable and applicable global solution in the fight against climate change.
Agirbas said COP31 offers a historic opportunity to present this approach to the international community in a stronger and more visible way.
At the U.N. General Assembly in December 2022, the “Zero Waste” resolution, led by Türkiye and co-sponsored by 105 countries, was adopted by vote, designating March 30 as the International Day of Zero Waste.
First lady Erdogan delivered the keynote address at the first observance of the International Day of Zero Waste, held at the U.N. General Assembly Hall on March 30, 2023.
During the event, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced the establishment of the Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste and offered the role of chair to the Turkish first lady. Erdogan accepted the offer and assumed the position the same day.
Later that year, she also led an event titled “Towards a Global Zero Waste Movement” at the Turkish House, known as Turkevi, in New York City during the 78th U.N. General Assembly. At that event, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan became the first signatory of the Global Zero Waste Goodwill Declaration.
The Conference of the Parties, or COP, is the supreme decision-making body of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, meeting annually since 1995 to assess progress and negotiate global climate action.
The 31st session, COP31, is scheduled to take place in Türkiye from Nov. 9 to Nov. 20, 2026. The main venue will be Antalya, while the leaders’ summit is set to be held in Istanbul.
Nearly 200 countries are expected to attend, with discussions focusing on the next phase of Paris Agreement implementation, including new and updated emission-reduction targets, adaptation measures, climate finance and the application of carbon-market rules.
Previous COP meetings have been hosted by Germany, Japan, Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan and Brazil.
Türkiye, which has gained international recognition for mediation efforts in recent global crises, is seeking to apply that diplomatic experience to climate diplomacy through its hosting of COP31.
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