The very first face-to-face assembly of the U.N. Zero Waste Advisory Board is about to happen within the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul this November, the chief director of U.N.-Habitat mentioned on Saturday.
Recalling that the primary World Cities Day occasion was held in Shanghai in 2013, Maimunah Mohd Sharif informed Anadolu Agency (AA) that the theme for this yr in Istanbul underneath the management of Turkish first woman Emine Erdoğan – who has spearheaded Türkiye’s zero waste efforts – shall be financing metropolis agendas.
Sharif, who beforehand served as an vital mayor in Malaysia, mentioned they hope and anticipate to see U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attend the assembly in particular person on Nov. 1, as he shall be invited by the chair.
“We will check our work plan, which includes what we want to achieve in the next three years” by sharing “the most effective practices and likewise the challenges in a extra holistic and built-in method,” she underlined.
About U.N.-Habitat’s present work on the zero waste purpose, Sharif referred to the Waste Wise Cities Initiative in 2018, stressing that round 400 to 500 cities have already joined this system.
“We had the first International Zero Waste Day on the 30th of March this year in New York,” she noted, adding, “We have already arrange one unit on strong waste administration,” together with waste remedy, wastewater remedy and analyzing waste sources to give you correct motion.
Climate change vs. UN affirmed objectives
Underlining that local weather change is actual, the U.N. official cited experiences stating this July has been the most popular month thus far, criticizing how the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has not often talked about the problem regardless of its gravity.
Reaching the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) is important at this level, she careworn, noting that the prices of those zero-waste-related actions are additionally vitally vital.
“Up to now 2.3 billion tons of waste have not been properly treated so far,” she said, adding that this means “nearly 40% of worldwide waste has not been managed in a correct approach.”
Voicing hope that no less than 1,000 cities will be a part of the Zero Waste Program, she mentioned that that is instantly “linked to the standard of life for individuals.”
Underscoring that waste administration shall be a precedence in the course of the assembly, Sharif mentioned the primary women of Suriname and Sierra Leone, researchers, and members from each the private and non-private sectors shall be among the many advisory committee members who will share concepts and recommendation associated to finest practices on the problem.
Defining sustainability as utilizing restricted assets in a approach in order to not jeopardize future generations, the U.N.-Habitat head mentioned a world effort is really wanted to perform this.
Out of 169 Sustainable Development Goals set in 2015, solely two have to date been reached, which demonstrates that “we aren’t going ahead, we’re behind in attaining all objectives,” she careworn.
“All of us should play a job” in doing so, Sharif famous.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
