Speaking at the high-level commemoration of the International Day of Zero Waste, which this year spotlighted fashion and textile waste, First Lady Erdoğan warned about the severe environmental consequences of the prevailing linear production model. She emphasized the urgent need for a paradigm shift in global consumption patterns, urging the world to adopt a circular economy based on reducing, reusing, and recycling to safeguard the planet’s future.
The event saw insightful remarks from the President of the General Assembly, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and the Executive Directors of UNEP and UN-Habitat, all underscoring the importance of a sustainable approach to waste management.
A dynamic panel of global experts, civil society leaders, and activists shared their expertise on tackling the escalating crisis of textile waste. Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN, highlighted the country’s significant achievements in promoting sustainability within the textile sector. He also called on multinational brands to take greater responsibility and urged consumers to make more sustainable choices.
In recognition of Professor Yunus’s continued commitment to zero waste, Ambassador Chowdhury, on behalf of the Professor, expressed gratitude to First Lady Erdoğan for her visionary leadership as the current Chair of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste.