“March 30 International Zero Waste Day”, which was declared as the main presenter of Türkiye on December 14, 2022, with the vote at the UN General Assembly, which is the cornerstone of Türkiye’s “Zero Waste” struggle, which is an example to the world, has completed its 4th anniversary. First Lady Erdoğan addressed the “International Zero Waste Commemoration Day” event held at the UN building in the USA, attended by the Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum, with a video message. Here are the highlights of Emine Erdoğan’s video message:

I would like to express my gratitude to the embassies, the UN, the UN Environment Programme, UN Habitat and all zero waste volunteers who have brought the “Zero Waste” vision to the whole world. We determined this year’s theme as “Food Waste”. Because today, 673 million people in the world are struggling with hunger. More than 2 billion people do not have adequate and balanced nutrition.

One in every 12 people lives at risk of chronic hunger. That’s why we wanted to realize the chain effects behind every food we throw away. And let’s all say ‘stop’ to this trend. So that we can stand with our brothers and sisters living on that terrible border between hunger and death in Africa, Asia, Gaza and many other geographies. Unfortunately, nearly half of the deaths of children under the age of 5 in the world are caused by hunger. Many children die before they can grow up and see a better day. However, if we could save just one quarter of the food wasted globally, we could end world hunger.

Every year, 2.3 billion tons of food, equivalent to 5.8 trillion plates of food, are lost without being consumed in the world. People whose lives depend on that morsel have a right to every morsel that is wasted. There are cries of people suffering from hunger and thirst in war zones. Let’s not forget that all humanity pays the price of food loss and waste together.

Food loss and waste accounts for 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse emissions. According to the Food Waste Index Report, 60 percent of food waste occurs at home. This means that we can prevent this great waste with a little attention, awareness and small behavioral changes. As a matter of fact, the experiences we have gained so far in the Zero Waste Project we started in 2017 have shown us that behavioral change is the strongest environmental and climate policy. In other words, a responsible behavior can turn into a wave of goodness that surrounds all humanity and nature. For example, by simply not rotting a fruit, we do not waste the water, energy and human labor spent on growing that fruit. At the same time, we give nature the opportunity to renew itself and contribute to the reduction of environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Then come, let’s join hands. Let’s cover big distances with small steps. Let’s save our kitchens from being centers of waste and make them places of loyalty to blessings. Most importantly, let’s not forget that abundance increases with appreciation. And let’s build a just world where children don’t go hungry, shoulder to shoulder.

A GIFT TO HUMANITY

Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum, in his message shared on his social media account after the Zero Waste Commemoration event he attended at the UN, said: “The amount of waste we produce today has exceeded the rate of nature’s renewal. With the #ZeroWaste movement, which was gifted to humanity by the Honorable Emine Erdoğan ‘as an initiative of conscience and heart’, we reject waste, protect the resource and prioritize the future. Zero Waste is not a choice; it is an obligation!” shared his message. The Minister Institution also published 2 graphs showing the achievements of Türkiye in the Zero Waste struggle on its social media account. ANKARA

ZERO WASTE IN CULTURE, ART, JUDICIALITY, EDUCATION, AGRICULTURE…

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy: With a zero waste approach, we continue to take steps that protect our resources, reduce our environmental impacts and build a sustainable future. We base sustainability in tourism and preserve our natural and cultural values ​​and carry them to the future.

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek: By popularizing the Zero Waste approach in justice services, we are creating a more efficient and cost-saving system that is compatible with information technologies. With our e-notification application, the cutting of 224 thousand 29 trees was prevented and 33 billion 983 million liras were saved. With our SEGBİS application, 62 billion 697 million liras were saved.

Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin: With the work we carry out as the Ministry, we support the strengthening of environmental awareness among our students, the spread of sustainable living culture and their awareness of waste management.

AK Party Deputy Chairman and Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik: Zero Waste Movement is a global source of action and inspiration to protect the world, the common home of humanity. This great achievement set an example for other states and became a value of the humanity alliance.

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı: We aim to leave a waste-free, clean world to our children by protecting the nature and abundance that are our heritage. Kerim CENGİL/SABAH

EFFORTS WILL BE STRENGTHENED WITH THE SUMMIT IN ANTALYA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the “International Zero Waste Day”, declared in 2022 at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly under the leadership of Türkiye, strengthens efforts to prevent the waste crisis and promote sustainable production and consumption. In the written statement made by the Ministry, it was reminded that March 30 was declared “International Zero Waste Day” with the decision adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2022 under the leadership of Türkiye, within the scope of the Zero Waste initiative launched in 2017 under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s wife, Emine Erdoğan. The statement emphasized that International Zero Waste Day strengthens efforts to prevent the waste crisis and promote sustainable production and consumption, and said, “Turkey will include the Zero Waste approach among its priorities during the 31st UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP31), which it will host and chair in Antalya on 9-20 November 2026.” ANKARA

As a result of the joint work carried out by the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) and the Syrian Intelligence Service, spy Önder Sığırcıkoğlu, who had been on the run for 12 years, was caught on the Syrian-Lebanon border.

HE WAS A REGIME SPY

According to information received from security sources; Önder Sığırcıkoğlu kidnapped Free Syrian Army commanders Hüseyin Harmoush and Mustafa Kassum in 2011 and handed them over to the Assad regime, causing Hüseyin Harmoush’s death as a result of torture.

As a result of this incident, which caused the fate of Syria to change, Sığırcıkoğlu was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2013 for ‘depriving a person of his freedom by using force, threat or fraud’. However, he escaped from Osmaniye Open Prison in 2014.

FETO HELPED

It was determined that FETO-related structures played an active role in Sığırcıklıoğlu’s escape process. It was determined that the file information was changed irregularly, the penalty period was calculated incorrectly and there were serious irregularities in the permit process. During the investigations, it was revealed that the indictment against Önder Sığırcıkoğlu was drawn up by Özcan Şişman, a FETO member prosecutor in charge of the MİT trucks case in 2014. It was determined that the deadlines entered into the system incompletely were signed by FETO member execution prosecutor Yunus Baki.

After his escape, Önder Sığırcıkoğlu hid in countries such as Syria, Russia and Lebanon for many years. MİT created an uninterrupted tracking network by not losing track of Sığırcıkoğlu. Many elements of physical surveillance, technical interception, cyber tracking and intelligence were used in this operation. After Sığırcıkoğlu took refuge in Syria, he was taken under protection by the Assad regime intelligence. Önder Sığırcıkoğlu also established a close relationship with Yusuf Nazik, the perpetrator of the Reyhanlı explosions. Sığırcıkoğlu and Nazik stayed in the same house in Syria for a while. Önder Sığırcıkoğlu used his relations with the Syrian intelligence to release Yusuf Nazik from prison. Yusuf Nazik, who was captured and brought to Türkiye in 2018 during an operation by MİT, confirmed in his statement that he was rescued from prison by Önder Sığırcıkoğlu. Sığırcıkoğlu was arrested.

PLANNED STEP BY STEP

MİT created the movement profile of Önder Sığırcıkoğlu using physical and technical methods after his escape. He identified his communication networks and places of refuge and systematically monitored them. With the intelligence analysis, it was determined that Önder Sığırcıkoğlu was hiding first in Syria, then in a house in the Cebel Muhsin region of Lebanon, and then went to Russia’s Krasnodar Region and then back to Lebanon via Egypt.

COLLABORATION

With the capture of Sığırcıkoğlu, cooperation between Türkiye and Syria at the intelligence level marked a new era in regional balances.

“THERE IS NO MEANING IN WAITING”

Stating that the ball is now in the Parliament’s court in the terror-free Türkiye process, Bahçeli emphasized that the process should proceed quickly against sabotage. Bahçeli used the following statements:

“Politics has done its part here. Now it is time for concrete steps to be taken in the Parliament. Necessary laws must be passed without extending the period, whether it is the issue of sick and elderly convicts or other issues. If it is prolonged, internal and external structures will not stand idle against this process. There is no point in waiting. It is not possible to get anywhere with identity politics and sectarian divisions. There is no winner in this. It is essential to avoid painful statements that will increase fragility. It must be carried out with patience and common sense.

The terror-free Türkiye process is not just a security issue. It is a multidimensional breaking moment that will shape Türkiye’s future. We have to look at the PKK issue from a historical perspective, not from a narrow framework. The terrorism problem cannot be explained only by internal dynamics.

Any analysis without seeing the impact of the regional and global players around us will be incomplete. When this issue is resolved, it will not only be in the field of security; There will be relief in a wide range of areas, from economy to diplomacy, from social peace to state capacity. “The process should proceed with legal and democratic steps under the roof of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.”

“The fight against terrorism is not only a military issue,” said MHP Chairman Bahçeli, adding: “The fight against terrorism is also the subject of a historical and geopolitical claim. Turkey must develop a versatile mind that establishes a balance between the East and the West. This mind and will has the power to make Türkiye a polar head in the long run.”

“SYRIA AND LEBANON CAN ACT TOGETHER

“Discussing the war in the Middle East, Bahçeli commented on the attacks on Iran as ‘Unjustified’. The MHP leader made the following assessment on this issue:

Bahçeli made the following assessment on this issue: “The attacks of the USA and Israel against Iran are unjustified. Every tension in our region paves the way for new fractures and new confrontations. Syria and Lebanon can act together in this equation. This can create a new geopolitical line in the Middle East. Turkey should act with a broad-perspective security and foreign policy approach in this process.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had telephone conversations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi and Pakistani Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar.

Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran shared a post about March 30 International Zero Waste Day on his NSosyal account.

Celebrating the International Zero Waste Day, Duran said, “This meaningful day, which we celebrate its 4th anniversary this year with the theme of ‘Food Waste’, is not only a call to protect the environment, but also a strong reminder of our common responsibility towards future generations.” made his assessment.

Emphasizing that it is a necessity to review consumption habits, reduce waste and use resources consciously, Duran said:

“The Zero Waste Movement, which is carried out under the auspices of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan and sets an example on a global scale with a visionary perspective, leads the rooting of environmental awareness in all segments of society. This strong approach plays an important role in the construction of a sustainable future. The zero waste understanding forms the basis of a balanced and sustainable life culture in harmony with nature. A small step we take can be a part of a great transformation. Because a clean environment is indispensable for a healthy society.”

Duran stated that they will continue to work determinedly with the aim of leaving a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment to future generations.

Happy March 30 #InternationalZeroWasteDay. This meaningful day, which we celebrate its 4th anniversary this year with the theme “Food Waste”, is not only a call to protect the environment; It is also a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to future generations. Review our consumption habits… pic.twitter.com/xxBIrLQ9xU

— Burhanettin Duran (@burhanduran) March 30, 2026

The National Intelligence Organization caught spy Önder Sığırcıkoğlu, who had been on the run for 12 years, on the Syria-Lebanon border. Fugitive spy Sığırcıkoğlu, who was captured as a result of the joint work carried out by MİT and the Syrian Intelligence Service, was handed over to the judicial authorities under the coordination of the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Ankara TEM Branch Directorate.

IT AFFECTED THE DESTINY OF SYRIA

Önder Sığırcıkoğlu kidnapped Free Syrian Army commanders Hüseyin Harmoush and Mustafa Kassum in 2011 and handed them over to the Assad regime, causing Hüseyin Harmoush’s death as a result of torture. As a result of this incident, which caused the fate of Syria to change, Önder Sığırcıkoğlu was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2013 for “Depriving a Person of Liberty by Using Force, Threats or Cheating”. However, he escaped from Osmaniye Open Prison in 2014.

TRACES OF FETO WERE FOUND IN HIS FUGITIVE

It was determined that FETO-related structures played an active role in the escape process. It was determined that the file information was changed irregularly, the penalty period was calculated incorrectly and there were serious irregularities in the permit process. During the investigations, it was revealed that the indictment against Önder Sığırcıkoğlu was drawn up by Özcan Şişman, a FETO member prosecutor in charge of the MİT trucks case in 2014. It was determined that the deadlines entered into the system incompletely were signed by FETO member execution prosecutor Yunus Baki.

MYTH FOLLOWED STEP BY STEP

After his escape, Önder Sığırcıkoğlu hid in countries such as Syria, Russia and Lebanon for many years. MİT created an uninterrupted tracking network by not losing track of Sığırcıkoğlu. Many elements of physical surveillance, technical interception, cyber tracking and intelligence were used in this operation.

PROTECTED BY THE ASSAD REGIME’S INTELLIGENCE

After Önder Sığırcıkoğlu took refuge in Syria, he was taken under protection by the Assad regime intelligence. In return, he was asked to carry out active intelligence activities against Turkey. During this process, Sığırcıkoğlu transferred the identity and movement information of some individuals working on behalf of Türkiye to the Assad regime intelligence.

HE ENGAGED IN MANY ANTI-Türkiye ACTIVITIES

He established a close relationship with Mihrac Ural, leader of the THKP/C-Acilciler (Mukaveme-i Syria) organization, and Yusuf Nazik, the perpetrator of the Hatay/Reyhanlı explosions, who was caught in 2018. He made anti-Turkish propaganda under the instructions of Mihraç Ural. The duo carried out psychological operations with fake images and ensured that manipulative news appeared in the media. In an interview he gave to a news site, he stated that “he personally kidnapped Hüseyin Harmoush, that he carried out this action because he found Türkiye’s Syria policy wrong, that he planned the kidnapping operation himself, and that he had no regrets about it.”

HE ESTABLISHED A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH REYHANLI CANISI

Önder Sığırcıkoğlu also established a close relationship with Yusuf Nazik, the perpetrator of the Reyhanlı explosions. Sığırcıkoğlu and Nazik stayed in the same house in Syria for a while. Due to their closeness, Önder Sığırcıkoğlu even used his relations with the Syrian intelligence to release Yusuf Nazik from prison. Yusuf Nazik, who was also captured and brought to Türkiye in 2018 by an operation of MİT, confirmed in his statement that he was rescued from prison by Önder Sığırcıkoğlu.

HE ALSO WORKED FOR RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE

Önder Sığırcıkoğlu also contacted Russian Intelligence and held meetings. He shared strategic and sensitive information about Türkiye.

THE OPERATION WAS PLANNED STEP BY STEP

MİT created the movement profile of Önder Sığırcıkoğlu using physical and technical methods after his escape. He identified his communication networks and places of refuge and systematically monitored them. With the intelligence analysis, it was determined that Önder Sığırcıkoğlu was hiding first in Syria, then in a house in the Cebel Muhsin region of Lebanon, and then went to Russia’s Krasnodar Region and then back to Lebanon via Egypt. Upon information that Sığırcıkoğlu would try to cross into Syria again, a secret joint operation was planned between MİT and Syrian Intelligence. The intelligence services of the two countries acted in coordination at the border line and waited for the person to cross the border. After 12 years of escape, Önder Sığırcıkoğlu was captured in a joint operation on the Syria-Lebanon border.

JOINT WORKING GROUP FROM TURKISH AND SYRIAN INTELLIGENCE

After the capture, MİT and Syrian Intelligence established a joint working team regarding the process leading up to the execution of Hussein Harmoush. Sığırcıkoğlu, who was handed over to the judicial authorities, is expected to be tried on charges of political and military espionage, aiding and abetting a terrorist organization, abuse of office and aiding in murder, in addition to his current 20-year prison sentence. With the capture of Önder Sığırcıkoğlu, cooperation between Türkiye and Syria at the intelligence level also marks a new era in regional balances. With this operation, the perpetrator of the 2011 betrayal was brought to justice. MİT’s long-term strategic patience, intelligence depth and operational superiority have once again gone down in history.