The first Global Zero Waste Forum was organized on 17-19 October 2025 in Istanbul by the Zero Waste Foundation in collaboration with the Government of Türkiye and the United Nations. The forum represented a unique platform for fostering dialogue among governments, civil society, and private sector on zero waste and circular economy policies.
The forum, held under the overarching theme: “Zero Waste in Action: People, Places and Progress”, was inaugurated by Her Excellency, Madam Emine Erdoğan, First Lady of Türkiye who highlighted the urgency of the zero waste movement and called on the United Nations to establish a permanent zero waste mechanism. The delegates of ECO Member States were also widely represented in that global gathering. Partnering the forum, ECO Secretariat advocated its Regional Initiative on Resource Efficiency, Sustainability and Circular Economy (RESCUE) on the sidelines. This engagement testified ECO’s resolve to advancement of environmental cooperation and circular economy agenda among its Member States and beyond.
The forum endorsed the Istanbul Declaration solidifying a collective commitment to promoting zero waste principles and fostering sustainable development worldwide.
