ISTANBUL, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye marked World Environment Day on Friday with the launch of an international environmental forum in Istanbul, highlighting its plans for hosting the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) later this year.
The Global Zero Waste Forum brought together more than 7,000 participants from over 180 countries, including government officials and mayors, said the organizer Zero Waste Foundation, a Turkish NGO.
Under the theme "The Road to Antalya: Zero Waste as Climate Action", the three-day forum aims to strengthen international cooperation ahead of the COP31 summit. It focuses on zero waste as a method to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve resources, and accelerate sustainable development, the organizer said.
Samed Agirbas, president of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion, said the event is expected to provide concrete contributions to the COP31 process and help develop future implementation models.
Türkiye will host the COP31 summit and assume its presidency in the southern resort city of Antalya from Nov. 9 to 20, with representatives from nearly 200 countries expected to attend. ■