The Zero Waste Project, carried out under the coordination of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, continues on its way as a global environmental movement accepted by the UN. Within the scope of the ever-growing project with the understanding of “The World is Our Common Home”, Türkiye; It proves to the whole world that the goals of using resources efficiently, preventing waste generation and expanding recycling can be successfully realized.

LAST AWARD FROM CARDIFF
Within the scope of the globally respected Green World Awards, which has been held for more than 30 years to determine the greenest countries, companies and communities in the world, the Zero Waste Project has achieved another success among hundreds of applications from around the world. Zero Waste was awarded the ‘Green World Championship’ award in the waste management category. Ekrem Yıldırım, Head of Zero Waste Practices Department, representing the General Directorate of Environmental Management of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, received the award and certificate of achievement at the ceremony held at Cardiff Castle in Wales. Zero Waste Project; It was awarded by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2018, the UN Development Program (UNDP) and the UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) in 2021, the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly and the World Bank in 2022, and the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly for the second time in 2024. With this award given by the Green Organization, the number of international awards for the Zero Waste Project increased to 7.

WHAT HAS ZERO WASTE PROVIDED?
Thanks to the work carried out within the scope of the Zero Waste Project, the recovery rate, which was 13 percent in 2017, was increased to 37.53 percent by 2025. A total of 90 million tons of recyclable waste was processed, bringing 365 billion liras into the economy. Energy savings equivalent to the 1-year electricity needs of 54 million households (270 billion kilowatt-hours), water savings equivalent to the 2-year water consumption of Istanbul (2 trillion liters), and oil savings equivalent to more than the 1-year fuel consumption of all vehicles in Türkiye (60 billion liters) were achieved.

Last week in Mersin, 12 people, including the deputy mayor Ümit Civan, were arrested in the operation carried out against the CHP’s Yenişehir Municipality on charges of bribery and tender rigging. A seizure decision was made for 29 immovable properties and 13 vehicles obtained from crime. SABAH has obtained documents about the bribes given during recruitment.

GIVEN IT IN A BAG
In the investigation file carried out by the Mersin Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, it was detailed in the file how Serhat Özmen, who worked in the municipality’s building control unit, got Mehmet Çalışır to work in the municipality in return for a bribe of 250 thousand TL and how he received the money. It was revealed that Çalışır handed over 250 thousand liras in a bag and started working at the municipality on August 25, 2025. Çalışır and Serhat Özmez, who sold their cars and paid bribes to get a job at the municipality, were also among those arrested. Photographs of the moments when the bribe was delivered and conversations between the two are also included in the file. Here is that dialogue:
ÇALIŞIR: Serhat, is there any way to get me admitted to the municipality? I was going to ask, “I am ready to give whatever is necessary.”
ÖZMEZ: 40 thousand TL a month, two days leave a week.
WORKS: Okay.
ÖZMEZ: They want 250 thousand TL, they will start it immediately.

COP31 High Level Climate Champions Meeting was held in Antalya yesterday. COP31 High Level Climate Champion Advisor Ömer Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized that the world is changing rapidly due to the climate crisis, and that resource depletion and especially waste management are no longer just technical problems. Noting that these have turned into social, economic and humanitarian difficulties, Ömer Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the greatest power at this point is undoubtedly young people. Pointing out that young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow but also the solution producers of today, Ömer Tayyip Erdoğan said: “We are transforming the Zero Waste approach from a policy framework into a real youth movement. In this context, we are launching a new initiative in partnership with the Youth Diplomacy Association under the umbrella of the Zero Waste Forum. We are establishing a new Zero Waste Youth Forum dedicated to empowering young people.” Ömer Tayyip Erdoğan also said that they will organize an international youth forum aiming to strengthen the role of young people in the fields of Zero Waste and Climate Action.

Negative content and risks that children may encounter in the digital environment are closely monitored by the Social Media Working Group within the Ministry. Following the monitoring process, blocking and removal operations are carried out on the internet and social media for content containing neglect, abuse and criminal elements that may negatively affect children’s development. Psychosocial support is also provided for children who are identified as being exposed to risk. Through the Working Group, interventions were made to remove or block 136 contents in the first 3 months of the year and a total of 3,040 to date. In this process, the Social Media Working Group cooperates with the Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK), the General Directorate of Security, Department of Combating Cyber ​​Crimes and the Radio and Television Supreme Council, as well as the judicial authorities. The Working Group identifies content in digital media and social media that harms the family and social structure, is contrary to general moral rules and may negatively affect children’s development. A request was made to BTK to block access in accordance with Law No. 5651 on the grounds that viewing these contents by children may negatively affect their psychosocial development and the necessary action was taken.

Mustafa Türkay Sonel, son of then Governor Tuncay Sonel, was arrested with 10 people along with him during the Gülistan Doku investigation, which has not been heard from since January 5, 2020 in Tunceli. The statement given by Sonel, who was arrested for “Deliberate Murder”, was revealed. Questions were asked to Sonel about his telephone base records and the PTS records of the car he was driving. Giving inconsistency and contradictory answers, Sonel both accused his closest friends of using drugs and said about the Doku family, “I am not angry with the Doku family because they have pain.” He made a brazen statement. In the letter of arrest for Sonel, who described himself as a ‘student’ and ‘pet lover’, it was stated that there was “strong suspicion of crime”. In his statement, Sonel claimed that he did not know either Gülistan Doku or her boyfriend Zeinal Abakarov. The most critical moment of the interrogation was about December 27, 2019, when Gülistan Doku was allegedly sexually abused in a Youth Center. While the narrowed base reports showed Sonel in the Youth Center building that day, at that time, Sonel’s answer was one of the most striking points of the statement: “I don’t remember exactly whether I went to the youth center or not, but I probably didn’t.” This “vague defense” of Sonel, who both declared that he did not remember being at the scene and immediately assumed that he “did not leave”, was interpreted as an effort to blur his existence, supported by technical data.

HE ACCUSED HIS FRIENDS
In his statement, Sonel described his high school friends, Umut Altaş and Ekincan Kılıç, with whom he was close enough to visit him in Istanbul, as drug users. It was noteworthy that Sonel, who was knowledgeable enough to know the places where his friends dumped their drug materials, tried to position himself completely outside of this picture despite being in the same group for years. In the PTS records at the entrances and exits of the city, suspect Sonel was also asked questions about the movements of the vehicle he was using with plate number 06 SNL 10. Sonel avoided answering and said, “I have no idea.” he replied. In particular, he could not provide a clear explanation for the re-entry from Elazığ direction without showing the exit record from Tunceli. On the other hand, the police proceedings against former Tunceli Governor Tuncay Sonel, who was detained on April 17 within the scope of the investigation, are continuing. Sonel’s detention period was extended.

HE WAS ARRESTED ON STRONG SUSPICION OF A CRIME
After his statement, the suspect Mustafa Türkay Sonel (26) was referred to the court with the prosecutor’s request for arrest. In the referral letter; It was reported that the suspect Sonel killed Gülistan Doku with Umut Altaş next to him, and then called the protection police Şükrü Eroğlu. It was stated that Eroğlu first buried Doku’s lifeless body under the tree next to the cemetery in Koçpınar village, Pertek district of Tunceli, but the location of the body was changed about 1-2 years ago. Considering that the secret witness statements were reliable, the prosecutor’s office requested the arrest of Sonel due to “strong suspicion of crime”. The court found this request appropriate and accepted it.

While Israel continues its efforts to ‘disturb the balance of the world’ with its expansionist policies, Türkiye continues to be the hope of ‘diplomacy’ by pointing to peace. The Antalya Diplomatic Forum (ADF), which revealed Türkiye’s vision to the world, left its mark on global diplomacy. 6,400 participants from 150 countries and 66 international organizations attended the forum, which was held with the theme of ‘Constructing Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties’. 23 heads of state and government, 13 deputy heads of state and government and 50 ministers were hosted. Participants had the opportunity to evaluate and gain information on all current issues, especially the Gaza and Iran crisis. In the panels, Türkiye’s past activities were praised and the steps it took for the future were mentioned.

FOUNDER OF Türkiye PEACE DESK

Speaking to SABAH, International Committee of the Red Cross Vice President Jürg Lauber said, “We work very closely and wonderfully with Turkey on peace issues. I can definitely say that Turkey is a complete founder of the peace table. This has been the case for years. Turkey does great work in mediation and negotiations in many different regions of the world.” Celso Luiz Nene, chief advisor to Brazilian leader Silva, stated that Türkiye’s success in diplomacy is not a coincidence and said, “The most important element in diplomacy is trust, and it is present in countries like Türkiye.”

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS FİDAN: ISRAELI EXPANSION IS IN TROUBLE

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan held a press conference on the last day of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum. Making evaluations at the press conference, which attracted great attention from the world press, Fidan stated that Israel’s real intention is the policy of dehumanization and said, “Israel’s expansionism problem has become a security problem not only in the region but also in the world.” Noting that the ceasefire between Iran and Israel/USA should be extended, Fidan said, “It is not easy for the US and Iran to solve the problems in two weeks. Turkey continues its diplomatic traffic to extend the ceasefire between the US and Iran.” Referring to Israel’s alliance with Southern Cyprus and Greece, Fidan said, “The threat priority is clear when these three countries come together and establish a military alliance.” Fidan said, “No one told us that this alliance is not against you” and pointed out that Türkiye has the qualifications and power to protect itself. Here are the highlights from Fidan’s speech:

WE ARE SEEKING TO END THE CONFLICT

❱ Minister Fidan stated that at the quadripartite meeting held with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan, they discussed steps to support peace and stability in the region and possible initiatives to permanently establish freedom of navigation, and that they determined the concrete steps they will take in order to develop a common vision for the future of the region. Stating that Israel came together with Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus and formed a military alliance against Muslims in the region, Fidan said, “We are not doing what they do. How can we extinguish the conflicts in our region, how can we ensure economic progress, how can we achieve stability? We are in search of this.”

THE KEY TO PEACE

❱ We discussed the Gaza Peace Plan at the meeting where 6 Muslim countries came together and confirmed our common will regarding the process. The Gaza Peace Plan has an implementation process. Mechanisms such as the Peace Board began to be implemented. We mainly discussed where the vision to stop and reverse the Gaza Genocide brought us. We see diplomacy as the key to peace. We will continue to act as a mediator between the parties.

CEASE CEASE PERIOD SHOULD BE EXTENDED

❱ There is a confused situation in minds regarding the Strait of Hormuz. We also follow the application closely. We will continue to inform the public as developments occur. The ceasefire period needs to be extended. It is not easy for the USA and Iran to solve the problems in two weeks. Türkiye continues its diplomatic traffic to extend the ceasefire between the USA and Iran. Nobody wants war to start again after the (US-Iran) ceasefire ends next week.

WE WILL DO OUR BEST

❱ It is considered that Lebanon should be included as a part of this general ceasefire to create an opportunity for negotiations. The whole world public opinion wants the negotiations to continue. The negativity (of the war) on energy security is obvious. We stand in solidarity with the Lebanese people. Lebanon is once again falling victim to the brutal grip of war. While struggling with fragmentation, it should not be allowed to face Israeli occupation, and we will do our best for this.

HOPES FOR Türkiye

❱ Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dibeybe said that they “want Türkiye’s support to build a single Libyan army under a single civilian command.” ❱ Serbian Prime Minister Duro Macut: Pointing out that Türkiye’s presence in the Western Balkans is a “great advantage”, Macut said, “The wisdom of the Turks and Türkiye will provide great support in solving critical problems.” ❱ El Salvador Vice President Felix Ulloa stated that economic relations with Turkey have strengthened and said, “We are very grateful to the Turkish private sector and we invite them to our country to work in other fields such as geothermal energy.” he said.

OUR VISION AND OUR EFFORTS ARE CLEAR

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan said, “We are following the Russia-Ukraine peace processes. We need to continue peace efforts. As Turkey, our vision and effort are obvious here. We brought the parties together in Istanbul three times last summer. We are ready to bring them together again.”

‘LET ADF CONDUCT RESULTS THAT GROUND PEACE’

Emine Erdoğan, wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, shared a video about the 5th Antalya Diplomatic Forum (ADF). In her post on her social account, First Lady Erdoğan said, “I hope that the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum, which highlights the unifying power of diplomacy and where different cultures, languages ​​and perspectives meet on a sincere basis, will lead to results that root peace.”

‘Türkiye IS AN IMPORTANT STABILIZER’

Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, Special Representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General for Libya and Head of the UN Support Mission (UNSMIL) in the country, said that Türkiye plays an important stabilizing role in the region. Tetteh said, “Türkiye played an important stabilizing role (in Libya). Without Türkiye’s support, I think we would not be able to achieve the stability we have now, especially in Western Libya.”

PRAISE WAS RAINED FOR Türkiye’S HOSTING: ALL CONTINENTS WERE BROUGHT TOGETHER IN A FRIENDLY

❱ Abdürrahim Dusak, President of the Turkish Group of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation: Türkiye is a country where cultures gather and can live together in a brotherly and friendly manner. We saw this once again in Antalya.
❱ OIC Deputy Secretary General for Science and Technology Khokher: Türkiye offers an excellent opportunity with participation not only from Islamic countries but from all continents.
❱ Guinea-Bissau Foreign Minister Joao Bernardo Viera II: Türkiye is an important partner. We aim to strengthen cooperation to harmonize our positions with Türkiye at the international level.
❱ Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir: The NATO Summit to be held in Ankara in July is “challenging and important”. However, it is in “safe hands” hosted by Türkiye.

ANTALYA DIPLOMACY FORUM IS A GIFT TO THE WORLD

❱ Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz: Türkiye continues to be a base for diplomacy and to reveal the possibility and claim of a different future. ❱ Turkish Grand National Assembly Foreign Affairs Commission Chairman Oktay: The heart of diplomacy beat in Antalya. We held the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) in an environment where diplomacy has been forgotten in the world and mutual trust and communication have disappeared. ❱ AK Party Deputy Chairman and Head of Relations with Turkish States Kürşad Zorlu: Antalya Diplomatic Forum revealed how realistic and justified Türkiye’s emphasis on “safe harbour” is. ❱ AK Party Deputy Chairman Hasan Basri Yalçın: Antalya Diplomatic Forum is Türkiye’s gift to the world. It is a very suitable and useful ground for keeping diplomacy alive, trying to prevent wars, and building diplomatic networks.

THE CLOSING WAS DONE BY AFRICAN GUESTS

The reflections of Türkiye’s bond with Africa for more than 20 years were clearly seen in AFD. Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan hosted the Africa event on the last day of the Fifth ADF margin. Representatives from African countries such as Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, Sao Tome and Prinsipe, Mozambique, Nigeria, Republic of South Africa, Angola, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Mauritania, Niger, Sudan and Chad attended the event.