The International Zero Waste Forum, held in Istanbul from 17–19 October 2025, took place over three dynamic days of high-level plenaries, expert panels, interactive workshops and an international exhibition, bringing together participants from 108 countries under one shared mission: advancing the global transition towards a circular, waste-free world.
Hosted by the Zero Waste Foundation in partnership with the Turkish Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, and under the honorary presidency of H.E. Emine Erdoğan, the Forum featured around 60 national and international speakers, including representatives from major global institutions such as UNEP and UN-Habitat. The sessions covered topics ranging from zero-waste technology and sustainable cities to financing circular economy projects.
As Regional Director for Europe at Let’s Do It World, I had the honour of representing our global network and officially signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Let’s Do It World (LDIW) and the Zero Waste Foundation (ZWF). This agreement outlines key areas of cooperation: joint campaigns, shared training modules, coordinated global events, and mutual support in resource mobilisation and policy advocacy.
Looking ahead, our next steps include launching a joint pilot programme in selected European countries by mid-2026 to implement zero-waste methodologies; establishing a shared online knowledge hub where the LDIW and ZWF networks can exchange best practices, toolkits and case studies; organising an annual Zero Waste Leadership Summit rotating between partner countries beginning in 2027; and coordinating global campaigns linked to World Cleanup Day, aligned with ZWF’s zero-waste messaging to maximise impact and visibility.
Following the signing of the Memorandum, both parties will proceed with concrete implementation steps to ensure that the agreed principles and objectives are translated into real, measurable outcomes. A joint coordination team will oversee the implementation roadmap and monitor progress towards shared sustainability goals.
This partnership immediately creates a powerful alliance that will amplify our collective reach, sharpen our strategic focus and accelerate results. The signing ceremony marked only the beginning—together we aim to transform intention into action, and ambition into measurable impact.
After more than 20 years of organising and attending international events, the Istanbul Forum stands out as one of the most professionally organised and inspiring gatherings I have ever experienced. It’s an honour to represent Let’s Do It World and to establish a partnership that strengthens our global impact.
The Forum was a deeply inspiring and thought-provoking experience, not only in its scale but in the diversity of ideas and solutions shared. Hearing stories from cities that have already made remarkable progress toward zero waste, entrepreneurs turning circular economy principles into real business models, and passionate youth leaders driving change in their communities reminded everyone that transformation begins with people.
Under the theme “People, Places, Progress,” the sessions highlighted that collaboration across sectors, governments, businesses, academia, and civil society is the key to translating zero-waste principles into daily practice. Each discussion reinforced a simple truth: when knowledge and action come together, sustainable change becomes possible.
Together, Let’s Do It World and the Zero Waste Foundation will continue building bridges between organisations, communities, and nations, because real change begins when we work as one.
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