According to the statement made by the Zero Waste Foundation, the Zero Waste Movement, which started under the auspices of Emine Erdoğan, Chairman of the United Nations (UN) Zero Waste High-level Personalities Advisory Board and Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, and transformed into a strong environmental and sustainability vision on a global scale, has become one of the basic building blocks of Türkiye’s environmental and climate policies.

This high-level ownership ensured that the zero waste approach was positioned as a strategic priority not only on a national scale but also on international platforms, while creating a strong institutional framework that reinforced Türkiye’s leading role on the road to the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31).

With this vision, Zero Waste Forum 2026 will be organized by the Zero Waste Foundation under the chairmanship of COP31 High Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş, with the theme “Road to Antalya: Zero Waste as Climate Action” on 5-7 June in Istanbul. The forum will be launched as a high-level and action-oriented platform designed to make the zero waste approach an integral component of the global climate action agenda.

While the forum will serve to advance COP31-compliant initiatives to be held in Türkiye under the chairmanship of Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, through announcements, cooperation development processes and implementation preparation mechanisms, it will also include special sessions moderated by partners and selected content linking the issue of zero waste with the broader climate agenda within the framework of the “Road to Antalya”.

THE FORUM FUNCTIONS AS AN INSTITUTIONAL BRIDGE BETWEEN THE COP31 IMPLEMENTATION AGENDA

Türkiye’s hosting of COP31 on 9-20 November 2026 offers a historic opportunity to move the zero waste approach from a separate environmental topic to a directly practical climate action area. In this context, Zero Waste Forum 2026 is positioned as a fundamental meeting point that increases coordination, strengthens partnerships and accelerates implementation preparation in the process leading to Antalya.

By serving as an institutional bridge between the Zero Waste Foundation’s multi-stakeholder platform and the COP31 implementation agenda, the Forum aims to bring together stakeholder views on a large scale, link priorities with concrete implementation paths and accelerate action.

In this respect, the forum was designed as a structure that contributes to the shaping of practice-oriented decisions rather than formal international negotiation processes.

OVER 100 MINISTERS AND MORE THAN 200 MAYORS FROM THE WORLD WILL COME TO ISTANBUL

Within the scope of the forum, ministers, mayors, business world representatives, innovators, academics, financial institutions and non-governmental actors will meet on the same platform to identify the blockages encountered in practice, quickly implement solutions and implement collaborations.

The Zero Waste Forum, which will be held for the second time this year, is expected to bring together participants from more than 150 countries, more than 500 corporate stakeholders and more than 5 thousand international guests in Istanbul. More than 100 ministers and more than 200 mayors from around the world will attend the forum.

In this regard, three critical High Level Ministerial Sessions will be held in the forum program: Industry and Technology, Agriculture and Forestry, Energy and Natural Resources.

A THEMATIC DAY FOCUSING ON FOOD WASTE AND METHANE REDUCTION WILL BE HELD AT THE FORUM

A special thematic day focusing on food waste and methane reduction will also be held within the scope of the forum. In this context, waste prevention and recycling will be supported throughout the food value chain, a direct link will be established between organic waste management and methane reduction, and applicable solutions at the city level will be highlighted.

The outputs to be produced at the end of the forum are designed to directly contribute to implementation, although they are not binding. In this context, concrete tools such as the Road to Antalya Declaration, City Action Commitments Package, Food Waste and Methane Action Guide, Partnership and Project Line, Measurement and Accountability Note, Zero Waste Forum 2026 Summary Report will be developed and made available to stakeholders.

The Zero Waste Festival, which will be held within the scope of Istanbul Zero Waste Week, will create a ground for social awareness and interaction with wide participation.

Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin said that one of the most sensitive issues that the Ministry focuses on is the development of vocational and technical education in Türkiye, in the “18th International MEB Robot Competition” program held at Antalya Sports Hall with the theme of “Green Homeland, Blue Future” under the coordination of the General Directorate of Vocational and Technical Education, in cooperation with TÜBİTAK and TIKA, and under the theme of “Green Homeland, Blue Future”.

Stating that vocational and technical education is very important from two perspectives, Tekin stated that this education is very important in eliminating the damage caused by February 28, one of the important breaking moments in Türkiye’s democratization process, on Türkiye’s democracy, rule of law and human rights perspective. For this reason, Tekin emphasized that every step that will develop and strengthen vocational and technical education is a step that will repair these wounds opened in democracy in Türkiye.

Secondly, Tekin explained that the development of the talents of young people shows that the country is developing economically, and noted that they are making intense efforts to develop the talents of the students in this respect.

Tekin stated that very important steps have been taken with these two perspectives in Türkiye since 2010, and that the coefficient obstacle in front of vocational high schools and the anti-democratic steps that caused vocational high school students to worry about the future have been eliminated.

Explaining that they discussed this issue in order to redesign vocational and technical education according to the skills required by the age, Tekin stated that in many schools and many provinces, areas that have become dysfunctional are closed and replaced with new areas according to the needs of the age.

Tekin stated that they opened vocational and technical education to sector representatives with the project school format in 2014 and said, “We started to determine the curriculum in our schools providing vocational and technical education with the representatives of professional organizations representing the business world that we chose as stakeholders.” he said.

“WE TAKEN VERY SERIOUS STEPS REGARDING INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS”

Minister Tekin underlined that they have taken very serious steps regarding internship programs in which children will receive practical training while receiving theoretical education.

Stating that they first organized workshop laboratories, so that children could carry out workshops and laboratory studies in a sterile environment, Tekin stated that within the framework of the protocols made with workplaces, they started to provide pocket money to children at the rate of 30 percent and 50 percent of the minimum wage.

Emphasizing that the main criterion sought in the enterprises with which the protocol is signed is to take all measures regarding occupational health and safety, Tekin said, “We have started to return to the situation before February 28 regarding vocational and technical education. As of now, 41 out of 100 secondary school students in Türkiye are receiving vocational and technical education. This year, 43 out of 100 secondary school students have registered for vocational and technical education. This is very important for us.” he said.

Minister Tekin reminded that the Vocational and Technical Education Policy Document was published in 2024 with the signature of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and said that they added the solutions to the new problems encountered in the field to the policy document.

Stating that one of the main problems in the world right now is the lack of emphasis on the human characteristics of children, Tekin said that they have included this issue in the 2024 policy document in order to raise children who prioritize being good people, peace, human rights, justice and compassion.

Stating that this robot competition is one of the events organized by the Ministry with the highest participation, Tekin said, “We are organizing the 18th and this year we have contestant friends and young people from 23 countries. Tens of thousands of our friends from 81 provinces are here to participate in this competition. I thank them all.” he said.

“THE ‘GREEN HOMELAND, BLUE FUTURE’ THEME IS VERY IMPORTANT”

MEB Vocational and Technical Education General Director Salih Kaygusuz said that every work put forward by young people in line with the National Technology Move targets reflects Türkiye’s production capacity and excitement.

Antalya Governor Hulusi Şahin emphasized that the theme of “Green Homeland, Blue Future” is very important for the future of Türkiye and said, “We are in the digital and information age, the cards are being distributed again and we have very good trump cards in the newly distributed cards. The most important of those trump cards is our young, hard-working, special population that fills this hall.” he said.

Later, Minister Tekin and the protocol members visited the in-field competition tracks and the stands established in the field. During the program, students chatted with Minister Tekin and took a souvenir photo.

Representatives of TÜBİTAK, TIKA and Turkish Maarif Foundation, students and educators from home and abroad attended the program.

Speaking at the signing ceremony at the Zero Waste Foundation’s headquarters in Üsküdar, Zero Waste Foundation President Samed Ağırbaş stated that the T3 Foundation carries out important work for the dissemination of technology in Türkiye and thanked T3 Foundation Chairman of the Board of Trustees Selçuk Bayraktar and Chairman of the Board of Directors Elvan Kuzucu Hıdır.

Stating that they are working to popularize the Zero Waste Movement, which was launched in 2017 under the leadership of Emine Erdoğan, Ağırbaş said, “With this cooperation protocol, we are opening a new page with our T3 Foundation, especially regarding ‘zero waste in technology’ studies, dissemination of zero waste-related studies in DENEYAP workshops and new zero waste studies to be carried out by the society.” he said.

Ağırbaş stated that they will work with the T3 Foundation at the Zero Waste Forum to be organized by the Foundation next month, and noted that more than 5 thousand guests will be hosted in the organization, where more than 150 countries are expected to participate.

Ağırbaş emphasized that, as a foundation, they attach importance to the understanding of common sense and said, “We want to create platforms where everyone meets around the same table and decisions are made through consultation, dialogue and consensus. We believe that we can only achieve success in this way. Zero Waste Foundation is the foundation of 86 million people in Türkiye and the foundation of 8 billion people in the world. In this context, we will continue to work uninterruptedly for a more livable world, a more prosperous world.” he said.

T3 Foundation Chairman of the Board of Directors, Elvan Kuzucu Hıdır, said that as a foundation, they have implemented many projects to bring young people together with science and technology.

Stating that young people are supported in the field of science and technology through DENEYAP technology workshops, science centers, TEKNOFEST and enterprise centers, Hıdır stated that they carry out all studies in cooperation with stakeholder institutions.

Pointing out the importance of the adoption of the Zero Waste Movement by all segments of society, Hıdır said, “Sustainability is now seen as one of the most important elements all over the world. Since we cannot distinguish technology from sustainability, we need to carry out studies in which we can integrate them together. We will organize trainings, joint workshops and programs in our science centers and workshops to increase the awareness level of young people in this field.”

Hıdır explained that they organize technology competitions focusing on the benefit of humanity in the field of environment and energy within the scope of TEKNOFEST, and added that joint studies will be carried out with the Zero Waste Foundation to support the projects developed by young people at the national and international level.

Within the scope of the signed protocol, the parties aim to carry out joint studies at local, national and international levels in the fields of education, technology, environmental awareness and sustainability.

‘IT WAS AN OLD FLAT, IT WAS REQUESTED TO BE REPAIRED QUICKLY’

Witness Timurhan T., who renovated the house belonging to Muhittin Böcek, said, “I went to Ali A. in November 2024. He said that he had an apartment in the port and wanted to have it renovated. I said I was available and accepted. I conveyed the price offer, we bargained a little and agreed. We agreed on a price of 1.5 million TL. We asked for 1 million TL up front. We finished and delivered it within 3 months. It was an old apartment, quickly. “I discussed all the issues with Ali A. I received most of the money, 200 thousand TL from the bank. We later learned the real owner of the house. My brother Serkan T. did not know it, I told him.”

‘I AM THE MAYOR OF ANTALYA METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY, I CANNOT DEAL WITH RENOVATIONS’

Stating that he told Serkan T. that the house would be renovated and that Ali A. did not know about this situation, Muhittin Böcek said, “Our Deputy Secretary General at that time, Serkan T., was also the construction site manager of a site, I would tell him everything about the renovation. I never talked to Ali A.. I am the Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, I cannot deal with renovations. I issue the invoice on my own person and always pay it. Serkan knew, didn’t he tell Timurhan?” he said. Upon Böcek’s words, Timurhan T. repeated that he learned about the flat renovation from Ali A. and that Serkan T. did not know. At the hearing, the defense statements of all defendants who were not detained were also taken. The three detained defendants and their lawyers will make their defense tomorrow.

According to the announcement, 680 contracted personnel will be recruited without interview, based on the KPSS (B) group score ranking, to work in the central and provincial organization units of the ministry.

Applications will be made between May 7 – May 22, until 23.59 on the last day, by logging in via the Presidential Career Gateway with the e-Government password “https://kariyerkapisi.gov.tr/isealim”. Announcements, announcements and information regarding the recruitment of contracted personnel will be published on the Ministry’s official websites “www.aile.gov.tr ​​and/or www.aile.gov.tr/pgm” or through the Career Gateway.

MINISTER GÖKTAŞ ANNOUNCED THE PERSONNEL ADVERTISEMENT

Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş also announced the contracted personnel recruitment announcement in his post on his NSosyal account.

Minister Göktaş said:

“We continue to strengthen our big family! We are starting a new personnel recruitment process in order to increase the quality of the services we offer to our citizens. In this context, we will employ 680 contracted personnel within our Ministry, without an interview, based on KPSS score superiority. The application process for our new colleagues has started as of today.

For reference: ‘http://aile.gov.tr, http://kariyerkapisi.gov.tr/isealim'”