Samed Agirbas Champions Climate Justice and Circular Economy at Africa Urban Forum

Advancing a Global Agenda for COP31

Samed Agirbas, COP31 Climate High-Level Champion and President of the Zero Waste Foundation, participated in the Second Africa Urban Forum (AUF2) in Nairobi from April 6–10, 2026. His participation focused on a fundamental shift in climate diplomacy: moving away from traditional aid models toward an “equal partnership” based on fairness, shared knowledge, and collective action.

The mission served as a strategic pillar for COP31 diplomacy, aiming to integrate African perspectives into the global sustainability agenda and ensure that climate justice remains a guiding principle for urban development.

Türkiye’s Zero Waste Model as a Scalable Solution

During the forum, Agirbas presented Türkiye’s national Zero Waste approach as a collaborative framework for global sustainability. Rather than a unilateral mandate, the model is designed for mutual exchange, helping rapidly urbanizing regions implement:

• Circular Economy Models: Principles that design out waste and keep materials in use longer.
• Urban Resilience: Strengthening city infrastructure to withstand climate-driven emergencies.
• Resource Efficiency: Optimizing how cities consume energy and manage waste to drive long-term economic benefits.

Field Engagements: Climate Justice from the Ground Up

To ground the high-level discussions in reality, Agirbas conducted field visits to Nairobi’s disadvantaged communities, including Kibera and Mathare. These visits highlighted the intersection of extreme poverty and climate vulnerability:

• Local Realities: Residents in these areas often survive on as little as $10–15 per month while facing life-threatening risks from flooding and environmental degradation.
• Youth Leadership: In Mathare, Agirbas met with 20 young leaders to discuss community-led responses to climate emergencies.
• Direct Action: The visit included tree-planting initiatives and sessions aimed at amplifying the voices of those most affected by climate impacts to the global stage.

Strategic Urban Partnerships

Agirbas engaged with key international stakeholders to align urban development goals with climate action:

• UN-Habitat: Meetings with Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach focused on advancing global urban development agendas.
• ICLEI & WRI Africa: Discussions with Dr. Meggan Spires and Dr. Aklilu Fikresilassie centered on integrating local expertise with innovative sustainability policies.
• Technology and Culture: Collaborations with the T3 Foundation and African Culture House explored the roles of technology and cultural exchange in fostering sustainable communities.

A Unified Path to COP31

The Zero Waste Foundation’s engagements in Nairobi underscore a strategy of “co-development.” By building strong cross-sector partnerships between Türkiye and Africa, Agirbas aims to ensure that the road to COP31 is paved with inclusive solutions that protect the “shared home” of all global citizens. The forum concluded with a firm call for regional dialogues to play a decisive role in shaping the future of global climate action.