Samed Agirbas: COP31 team learned much from cooperation with Azerbaijan

COP31 must facilitate the transition from climate commitments to their practical implementation and ensure real results, COP31 High-Level Champion and President of the Zero Waste Foundation Samed Agirbas said in Baku at the opening of Baku Climate Action Week 2026 (BCAW 2026).

According to Report, he expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan and the COP29 presidency, noting that the COP31 team has learned a lot thanks to the experience, support, and cooperation with the Azerbaijani side.

"Today we are not starting a new journey. Together with you, we are continuing the path to COP31 - from Baku to COP31 in Türkiye," Agirbas said.

He emphasized the need to bring COP31 closer to the real economy by turning climate initiatives into implementable and investment-attractive projects.

"We need closer cooperation between public and private financing. We must ensure the implementation of climate solutions at the level of cities, communities, and people. I want COP31 to become a platform where non-state actors will not only be part of the discussion but also part of the implementation of these solutions," he noted.

According to him, another important element of climate transformation is the Zero Waste movement.

He noted that under the leadership of First Lady of Türkiye Emine Erdogan, the Zero Waste movement has demonstrated the importance of practical actions in the field of environmental protection and the fight against climate change.