Türkiye and Ethiopia Forge COP31-COP32 Climate Bridge, Amplifying Africa’s Zero Waste Agenda

Addis Ababa recently played host to a pivotal diplomatic initiative aimed at strengthening global climate action, with a particular focus on Africa. Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation and Türkiye’s High-Level Climate Champion for the upcoming COP31, visited the Ethiopian capital on June 16. His mission: to lay the groundwork for a seamless transition between the COP31 presidency, slated for Türkiye, and COP32, which Ethiopia is poised to host. This strategic engagement seeks to embed Africa’s sustainable development priorities firmly within the international climate dialogue, leveraging the innovative Zero Waste Movement.

Bridging COPs: A Strategic Partnership for Climate Continuity

The heart of Ağırbaş’s visit was to establish a robust “climate bridge” between COP31 and COP32. His initial high-level meeting with Gedion Timothewos, Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and the designated President of COP32, underscored this strategic continuity. Discussions focused on potential areas of cooperation to ensure a smooth hand-off, alongside the planning of a significant Africa meeting under the Zero Waste Forum. This collaboration positions Türkiye and Ethiopia as key facilitators for practical climate solutions, emphasizing resource efficiency, circular economy models, and enhanced regional coordination for climate resilience across the continent.

The Zero Waste Movement: A Global Model for Africa’s Sustainable Future

Central to Türkiye’s climate diplomacy is the Zero Waste Movement, an initiative that has garnered global recognition under the patronage of H.E. Emine Erdoğan, Chair of the UN High-Level Advisory Board on Zero Waste and Honorary President of the Foundation. This movement is being showcased as a tangible, implementable model for achieving resource efficiency, fostering a circular economy, and promoting sustainable development. Ağırbaş’s meetings highlighted how these principles could be practically adapted and scaled within African contexts, addressing local development priorities while contributing to broader climate goals.

Amplifying African Voices and Priorities in Global Climate Discourse

Further engagements in Addis Ababa reinforced the commitment to an inclusive climate agenda. At the Turkish Embassy, Ağırbaş met with Ambassador Berk Baran, Türkiye’s Permanent Representative to the African Union, to discuss environmental diplomacy and opportunities for regional collaboration with the AU. A subsequent meeting, also involving Dr. Peter Hunter, Australia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, explored multilateral climate cooperation with key regional bodies like the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

The discussions with Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of UNECA, were particularly significant for outlining Africa’s climate agenda. Priorities such as sustainable development goals, climate resilience, access to crucial climate finance, resource efficiency, and stronger continental representation in global climate processes took center stage. These foundational discussions are expected to shape the forthcoming Africa meeting under the Zero Waste Forum, designed as a multi-stakeholder platform to translate Africa’s specific climate challenges and solutions—from waste management and sustainable cities to green development and financing needs—into the global discourse.

Ethiopia’s Green Vision and Collaborative Project Opportunities

The bilateral dimension of the cooperation was further solidified in Ağırbaş’s meeting with Dr. Fitsum Assefa, Ethiopia’s Minister of Planning and Development. The focus here was on Ethiopia’s ambitious climate-resilient green economy approach, its investments in renewable energy, sustainable land management, and ecosystem restoration. Both parties explored concrete avenues for joint projects and capacity-building initiatives between the Zero Waste Foundation and the Ethiopian government, indicating a practical, project-oriented partnership.

A Blueprint for Inclusive Climate Action and Global-Local Integration

Ultimately, the visit signals a broader strategic push by Türkiye to connect global climate diplomacy with ground-level, implementation-oriented solutions, especially within Africa. By positioning Addis Ababa as a critical hub for dialogue between COP31 and COP32, and by integrating Africa’s unique developmental needs, the Zero Waste Foundation aims to foster an agenda of inclusive climate action. This effort seeks not only to strengthen the bridge between successive COP presidencies but also to ensure that the continent’s vital priorities are central to the global fight against climate change, leveraging a proven model for sustainable living.