Head of Communications Altun said: "It is through global collaboration and solidarity that Zero Waste, a bold initiative highlighting Türkiye's leading role in the environment and climate change, will truly succeed."
As part of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, our Directorate organised a roundtable themed "Strategic Communication in the Global Climate Crisis" in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
In a video message addressing the participants of the meeting, the Presidency's Head of Communications, Fahrettin Altun, stated that the climate crisis stands as one of the most pressing issues affecting both the present and future of our world.
Pointing to global greenhouse gas emissions as a critical threat in the context of the climate crisis parameters, Head of Communications Altun remarked, "As articulated by our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye is tackling the issue with the aim of achieving net zero emissions by 2053. As you know, Türkiye signed the Paris Climate Agreement on October 6, 2021, as a committed member of the international community, although it accounts for barely 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions."
Recalling the reorganisation of the "Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation" into the "Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation, and Climate Change," Head of Communications Altun further explained the introduction of the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan, as well as the establishment of a highly effective organisational infrastructure for Green Development, Environment, and Climate Change issues.
Underscoring that the Zero Waste Project, implemented under the auspices of First Lady Emine Erdoğan and now recognised all around the world, has elevated Türkiye's environmentally sensitive policy to a global level, Head of Communications Altun went on to say:
"The Zero Waste project—the most extensive environmental movement of the Century of Türkiye—has become a global brand after the United Nations proclaimed March 30 as the 'International Day of Zero Waste Day.' In a similar vein, First Lady Emine Erdoğan opened the 'Global Commitment to Zero Waste' for signature worldwide during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2023 in her capacity as Chair of the United Nations Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste. Today, tens of thousands of people from 83 countries, particularly over 30 First Ladies and Gentlemen, have signed this commitment online, pledging to pursue the Zero Waste philosophy in their production and consumption processes.
"We appreciate the significance of raising generations who cherish nature"
Head of Communications Altun noted:
"As a bold initiative highlighting Türkiye's leading role in the environment and climate change diplomacy, The Zero Waste Project will truly succeed through global collaboration and solidarity. Yet, it is not possible to consider the environment in isolation from sustainable development, which means meeting the needs of the present without jeopardising the potential to meet the needs of future generations. Türkiye is committed to attaining balanced growth in the environmental, economic, and social realms by boosting renewable energy investments on its path to meet its sustainable development goals."
Voicing that sustainable development is closely related to national planning, economy, and ecology as well as social factors, Head of Communications Altun emphasised the importance of raising future generations who are environmentally sensitive, cherish nature, and adopt a responsible production and consumption approach.
Altun said, "I believe that the communication atmosphere created by the meeting held under the auspices of our Directorate of Communications will be beneficial in generating solutions to this crisis that has implications for our future. I would like to thank you all once more for your valuable contribution and cooperation and hereby send my respect and affection by saying, 'Türkiye is our homeland; the World is Our Common Home'."
The importance of strategic communication in the climate crisis was addressed
The roundtable featuring the theme of Zero Waste as the top priority hosted discussions on issues including "private and public cooperation in combating the climate crisis within the framework of zero waste, sustainable energy and development, new challenges posed by the climate crisis in international relations, as well as the breakthrough made by Türkiye in the realm of green development, environment, and climate change, dissemination of zero waste culture to the society through education and awareness, combating climate disinformation, and the importance of strategic communication in the climate crisis."
Deputy Head of Communications Assoc Prof Çağatay Özdemir as well as representatives of think tanks, academics, environment and climate change experts, and journalists participated in the meeting moderated by Assoc Prof Kılıç Buğra Kanat, Washington Research Director of the Foundation for Political, Economic, and Social Research (SETA).
