UN Chief Applauds Turkey's First Lady, Government for Leading Zero Waste Initiative
(MENAFN) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commended on Thursday the Turkish government and First Lady Emine Erdogan for their leadership in combatting global waste, which he said is "making a mess of our world." Speaking at the UN General Assembly to commemorate the first Zero Waste Day, part of an initiative led by the Turkish first lady, Guterres highlighted the urgent need to eliminate waste to address the climate crisis and protect the environment, economies, and public health.
The zero waste project was launched in Türkiye in 2017, under the auspices of First Lady Emine Erdogan, to raise awareness about the importance of eliminating waste. The initiative has received widespread praise and recognition for its efforts to combat waste and pollution. Last December, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on the zero waste initiative proposed by Türkiye, declaring March 30 as the International Day of Zero Waste.
According to the World Bank, the average amount of waste produced daily per person worldwide is 0.74 kilograms, with a range of 0.11 to 4.54 kilograms. By 2050, this amount is expected to reach 3.88 billion tons per year. As of 2022, only 82 percent of municipal waste is collected worldwide, and 55 percent is sent to waste treatment facilities. Food loss and waste have significant environmental, social, and economic consequences, including contributing to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Guterres emphasized that waste is a killer, of people, the planet, and natural resources and ecosystems. Waste inflicts significant economic losses, and the growing amount of garbage has become a serious threat to the environment. Guterres also highlighted that about 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by food that is never used, while 800 million people around the world go hungry every year.
The UN chief called for urgent action to address the growing waste and pollution, and recognized the leadership of the Turkish government and First Lady Emine Erdogan in tackling this critical issue. The zero waste initiative is an essential step towards achieving a sustainable future, and it has set an example for the international community to follow. The situation calls for continued cooperation and collaboration among all stakeholders to promote responsible waste management, protect the environment, and preserve the planet for future generations.
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