Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday warned that climate change poses a grave threat to humanity, comparing its impact to that of war and global pandemics, while highlighting the achievements of Türkiye’s Zero Waste initiative.

“The climate issue is a serious problem that threatens all of humanity, just like war and global pandemics,” Erdogan said at the gala dinner of the Zero Waste Forum in Istanbul.

“We are living in an era where artificial intelligence and new technologies are speeding up production, while unconscious consumption habits are wearing down nature,” he added.

Erdogan said the forum, held at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport, addressed key issues ranging from the circular economy and climate-friendly production models to turning waste into economic value and improving resource efficiency.

He noted that the event brought together more than 120 ministers from 183 countries, over 200 mayors and more than 500 international stakeholders.

“With the participation of more than 5,000 people, from youth organizations to the private sector, from civil society groups to policymakers, academics and decision-makers, this forum is a clear indication of the high level Türkiye has reached in environmental diplomacy,” Erdogan said.

He said the forum was also important because it focused not only on theoretical discussions, but also on concrete, applicable and measurable solutions.

Erdogan said the forum carried particular significance ahead of the COP31 climate summit, which Türkiye is set to host in the Mediterranean city of Antalya in November.

“The mission undertaken by the forum on the road to the COP31 Conference of the Parties, which we will host in Antalya in November, is very, very valuable,” he said.

“In this respect, it was extremely correct and appropriate that the theme of the forum was determined as ‘The Road to Antalya: Climate Action’ through zero waste,” he added.

Highlighting the international reach of Türkiye’s environmental efforts, Erdogan said the Zero Waste Movement has evolved into a global environmental mobilization recognized by the UN.

The president said projects and practices implemented under the initiative have generated substantial economic and environmental benefits.

“With the projects and practices implemented through the Zero Waste Movement, we have contributed a total of 365 billion Turkish liras to our economy,” he said.

The initiative has also helped save significant natural resources, Erdogan said.

“We have achieved savings of 2 trillion liters of water, 270 billion kilowatt-hours of energy, 60 billion liters of oil, and 390 million cubic meters of landfill space,” he added.

The Turkish president also pointed to steady progress in recycling and resource recovery efforts.

“Our recovery rate, which stood at 13% in 2017, rose to 37.53% in 2025. We will increase this rate to 60% by 2035 and to 70% by 2053,” he said.

Erdogan also expressed hope that the forum’s joint declaration and final outcome document would contribute to new steps in the fields of environment and climate.

The Zero Waste Forum, held June 5-7, is led by Türkiye’s first lady Emine Erdogan, who chairs the UN High-Level Advisory Board on Zero Waste and serves as honorary president of the Zero Waste Foundation. The event is supported by UN agencies, including UN Environment Programme and UN-Habitat.