Türkiye and Azerbaijan Unveil Joint Pavilion at COP29 to Promote Environmental Solidarity

Türkiye’s Zero Waste Project and Azerbaijan’s Heydar Aliyev Foundation have launched a joint pavilion at the COP29 United Nations Climate Change Conference, located in the Green Zone. The pavilion, named the “Solidarity Center,” is designed to promote environmental initiatives and provide a platform for discussions between governments, private sector representatives, and NGOs.

The collaboration is led by Türkiye’s First Lady Emine Erdoğan, who has been championing the Zero Waste Project since 2017, and Azerbaijan’s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, both of whom are committed to advancing environmental and social progress in their respective countries. The Zero Waste Project focuses on waste reduction, recycling, and fostering a circular economy, while the Heydar Aliyev Foundation showcases a variety of initiatives in education, health, social, cultural, and environmental fields.

Osman Kaytan, General Manager of the Paper Recycling Industrialists Association (AGED), highlighted Türkiye’s commitment to global climate goals, including reaching net-zero emissions by 2053. He emphasized that the Zero Waste initiative, spearheaded by Emine Erdoğan, plays a crucial role in achieving these targets and promoting sustainable production and responsible consumption. Kaytan also mentioned the significant growth of Türkiye’s paper recycling industry, which is expected to increase its capacity from 5 million tons per year to over 8 million tons in the coming years, positioning Türkiye as a regional leader in recycling.

The Solidarity Center pavilion features a variety of exhibits that highlight Türkiye’s innovative waste management solutions, including recycling technologies and educational programs aimed at fostering environmental responsibility. One of Türkiye’s key goals is to achieve a 60% recycling rate for recyclable waste by 2035, in line with global climate objectives.