Azerbaijan's UN representative: Zero Waste initiative gained global support at COP29

A special session was held at the UN General Assembly on the occasion of March 30 - International Zero Waste Day, at the initiative of Türkiye.

Report informs that the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the UN, Tofig Musayev, speaking at the session, emphasized the importance of the Zero Waste movement. He said that the Zero Waste initiative gained global support during COP29.

The diplomat hailed Türkiye's leadership in this area and, in particular, the personal efforts of First Lady Emine Erdogan.

Musayev informed the event participants about the steps taken by Azerbaijan in the field of Zero Waste and the work it is doing in this regard. He noted that Azerbaijan's Zero Waste concept is one of the main principles on the path to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and creating a greener planet: "Azerbaijan is taking concrete steps to accelerate progress on a number of SDGs. These include supporting local circular economy projects, promoting sustainable textile production, and initiatives to reduce waste through innovation and education."

The ambassador emphasized that within the framework of COP29, Azerbaijan and Tokyo demonstrated their commitment to contributing to environmental development through collective action by opening a joint pavilion in the green zone: "Moreover, the Declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste was adopted during COP29. This document emphasizes the importance of comprehensive measures to prevent the rapid increase in waste, expand the implementation of waste management and Zero Waste practices. The Declaration on Multisectoral Action Pathways to Resilient and Healthy Cities, developed as part of the COP29 Action Agenda, aims to promote an integrated approach to climate challenges in cities, strengthen coordination between urban climate policies and stimulate urban climate finance."

Azerbaijan will host the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in 2026. "This event will be an important platform to promote sustainable urban development, strengthen Zero Waste initiatives and reaffirm international commitments to create climate-resilient cities," Musayev said.