At the United Nations General Assembly on Friday (27 March 2025), the First Lady of the Republic of Türkiye Mrs. Emine Erdogan expressed heartfelt appreciation to Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh Professor Muhammad Yunus for his outstanding contributions and global advocacy in advancing the cause of zero waste.
Delivering the keynote address at the high-level commemoration of the International Day of Zero Waste-focused on fashion and textile waste- First Lady Erdogan warned of the devastating impact of the current linear production model and called for an urgent shift in global consumption patterns.
She emphasized the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling to protect the planet’s future.
The event also featured remarks by the President of the General Assembly, the UN Secretary-General, and the Executive Directors of UNEP and UN-Habitat. A dynamic panel of global experts, civil society leaders, and activists shared their thoughts on addressing the growing challenge caused by textile waste.
Speaking on the occasion, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury highlighted Bangladesh’s strong commitment, initiatives and achievements with regard to sustainability in the textile industry.
The Ambassador also called for greater responsibility from multinational brands and emphasized the need to empower consumers to make sustainable choices.
On behalf of the Professor Yunus, a former member of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste, Ambassador Chowdhury conveyed appreciation to First Lady Erdogan for her visionary leadership as the current Chair of the Advisory Board.
