Huge support for tourism regions! 12.3 billion lira allocated to infrastructure in 8 years!

As environmental problems grow on a global scale and the effects of the climate crisis are felt more severely each day, zero waste practices stand out as one of the most important tools for a sustainable future. Policies aimed at the efficient use of resources, reducing waste generation, and protecting natural assets continue to hold top positions on the international agenda.

The opening of the forum, which received intense international attention, began with speeches by Emine Erdoğan, Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation. The opening was attended by Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin, Minister of Labour and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan, Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, and Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak.

Following the opening, Minister Ersoy spoke at the panel titled “Humanitarian Aspects of Trust, Justice, and Transition Process” within the forum, sharing his assessments on the importance of the zero waste approach in combating environmental crises. He stressed that zero waste is no longer an option but a necessity and called for a joint resolve to protect the environment.

Ersoy also revealed that 12.3 billion lira has been allocated to environmental regulations and infrastructure investments in tourism regions over the last eight years.

Ministry took on wastewater treatment investments

Ersoy stated that they supported environmental regulations and infrastructure investments in tourism regions and that approximately 12.3 billion lira has been allocated in this area over the last eight years.

He noted that many projects were supported from wastewater treatment facilities to drinking water investments, and that some necessary investments were directly undertaken by the Ministry.

Ersoy gave examples of wastewater treatment projects implemented in Serik, Bodrum, and Kemer, stating that these investments contribute to the protection of natural structure and the sustainability of tourism.

Third largest in the world in Blue Flag

Ersoy stated that the Blue Flag Program plays an important role in raising environmental awareness and protecting coastlines, drawing attention to Turkey’s success in this field.

Ersoy said, “Today, with 580 Blue Flag beaches, Turkey is the third largest country in the world in this field.”

No progress in joint action! We pay a heavy price

Recalling that the world has faced environmental problems for many years, Ersoy said that the size and spread of environmental crises today show that sufficient progress has not been made in joint action.

Despite promises and decisions made at the state level, Ersoy pointed out that a joint will reflected in implementation is still not seen. “On a global scale, unfortunately it is already very late. We are all paying the price in the harshest way,” he said.

Ersoy emphasized that developments from fires to floods, drought to famines reveal the picture humanity faces and called everyone to evaluate the zero waste approach with this awareness and take responsibility.

The roadmap to success in zero waste

Ersoy stated that zero waste practices contribute not only to protecting the environment but also significantly to the economy, and important results have been achieved in combating the climate crisis by recycling waste and evaluating organic waste.

He noted that these practices, which contribute to the protection of natural resources, also save water and energy consumption. Ersoy added that for the success of the zero waste movement, consumption must be reduced, recycling spread, and the culture of reuse strengthened.

Turkey fulfills its global responsibilities

Ersoy said that Turkey makes intensive efforts to fulfill the responsibilities it has undertaken internationally, and the efforts made so far have reached their goals.

He emphasized that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s approach of “The world is bigger than five” and “A fairer world is possible” guides Turkey’s global policies, adding that while protecting national interests, the common future of humanity has never been sidelined.

Ersoy stated that Turkey acts in accordance with the agreements it has joined and the commitments it has made, and that the results achieved in zero waste efforts are important indicators of this approach.

7 international awards for the global zero waste movement

Ersoy said the "Global Zero Waste Goodwill Declaration," initiated under the leadership of Emine Erdoğan, Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, and first signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has today turned into a strong will shaped around environmental awareness worldwide. He recalled that the Zero Waste Project has received a total of seven awards from international organizations.

Ersoy pointed out that the work carried out within the scope of the Zero Waste Movement has shown concrete results, reporting that by the end of 2025, 90 million tons of waste have been recycled, contributing 365 billion lira to the economy.

He emphasized that important gains have been achieved in many areas, from electricity to water, from petroleum to storage area, from number of trees saved to prevented greenhouse gas emissions, and that Turkey has achieved exemplary results in zero waste practices.

Minister Ersoy said, “Our Minister Murat Kurum, together with his team and stakeholders, has brought our country to a pioneering position competing with himself. I sincerely thank them.”

A world first in sustainable tourism from Turkey

Ersoy said that as the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, they have put sustainability at the center of tourism policies. “We realized a world first by preparing and implementing the 'Turkey Sustainable Tourism Program' in cooperation with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council in 2022,” he said.

He noted that they advance with a three-stage certification system; the number of facilities with the third stage GSTC certification has exceeded 2,000, and the goal is to bring all facilities into compliance with international standards by 2030.

Ersoy also announced that they are working on a new sustainability framework for food and beverage services and will continue to strengthen the sector’s environmental performance with applications such as carbon footprint calculation.

Shared responsibility for a sustainable future

Ersoy emphasized that the zero waste approach is not only an environmental necessity but also brings economic and humanitarian consequences on a global scale. He pointed to the importance of preventing waste, recovering resources, and spreading the circular economy model.

“In other words, the Zero Waste movement is no longer an option but a necessity for the world today.” He said stronger steps must be taken for future generations.

Calling for action and stronger steps globally, Ersoy thanked the Zero Waste Foundation and all stakeholders.