Enviro News Asia, Ankara — Türkiye is strengthening its climate diplomacy and sustainable development agenda by placing youth participation at the center of preparations for COP31 through a new partnership between the Zero Waste Foundation and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The cooperation initiative, officially launched on 21 May 2026, aims to expand youth involvement in environmental policies, promote sustainable lifestyles, and establish a volunteer-based environmental movement ahead of COP31, which Türkiye will host from 9–20 November 2026.
The introductory meeting was hosted by the Zero Waste Foundation and attended by Samed Ağırbaş, President of the foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion, alongside Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak.
The program introduced a series of environmental and youth-focused projects designed to position young people as active participants in climate action and sustainable development initiatives during and beyond the COP31 process.
In his remarks, Ağırbaş emphasized that the climate crisis has become a global environmental emergency requiring urgent social transformation driven by youth participation.
He stated that Türkiye’s zero waste vision, developed under the leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, seeks to mobilize children, youth, and women to strengthen environmental awareness and sustainable living practices across the country.
Ağırbaş warned about growing environmental threats, including plastic pollution and microplastic consumption, while stressing the importance of innovative technologies and youth-led solutions to address the climate crisis.
He also highlighted plans to establish zero waste workshops in youth centers nationwide, aiming to train young people not only as environmental advocates but also as implementing and educational leaders in sustainability practices.
“Our goal is to create behavioral change and empower youth as implementing and educating leaders,” Ağırbaş said during the event.
Minister Osman Aşkın Bak stated that the Ministry of Youth and Sports would use its nationwide youth centers, dormitories, and camps to expand the zero waste movement and strengthen environmental awareness among millions of young people.
Bak noted that the ministry already implements zero waste initiatives extensively across student dormitories and youth facilities and aims to transform the program into an international climate movement centered on volunteerism and youth participation.
Under the partnership, Türkiye will establish “Zero Waste Youth Volunteers,” “Zero Waste Youth Centers,” and “Zero Waste Thematic Camps” to create a nationwide youth ecosystem focused on environmental responsibility and sustainable development.
The initiatives will involve university students, youth leaders, volunteer communities, scouts, and education faculty students in practical environmental activities, including recycling, upcycling, reuse campaigns, workshops, and field-based climate action programs.
The thematic youth camps will provide experience-based environmental education designed to strengthen ecological awareness, sustainable consumption habits, and community leadership skills.
Officials said the program is expected to increase the visibility of Türkiye’s youth-centered climate agenda during COP31 while contributing to broader sustainable development goals and long-term social transformation.
The collaboration is also viewed as a strategic effort to integrate youth energy into Türkiye’s environmental diplomacy and reinforce the country’s international leadership in zero waste and climate action initiatives. (*)
