President Erdoğan, who is in New York to attend the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly, participated in the Climate Action Summit 2019.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a speech at the summit.

Describing climate change as a global problem that knows no borders given its consequences, President Erdoğan emphasized the importance of regional and global cooperation in finding solutions to global issues.

Noting that Turkey and Kenya co-lead a track on Infrastructure, Cities and Local Action (ICLA) with the support of UN-Habitat, President Erdoğan stated that the remit of this working group constitutes an important area whose impacts regarding the fight against climate change would be visible in daily life.

"Turkey is well aware of the fact that action needs to be taken first at the local level in order for the fight against climate change to be successful," he said.

President Erdoğan stated that he had served as mayor of Istanbul, one of the most populous metropolises in the world, for 4.5 years and then as Prime Minister and President of the Republic of Turkey for 17 years.

"We popularized the use of natural gas in lieu of solid fuel all across the country along with Istanbul. Turkey is now a regional leader in renewable energy," he underlined.

"We produce over 30% of electricity out of renewable energy. We will raise the share of renewable energy in electricity production to 39% by 2023."

Drawing attention to the significant progress Turkey has made in waste management, in the use of climate-friendly technology and energy resources, and in the betterment of the quality of air, water, and soil, President Erdoğan pointed out that the use of plastic bags across Turkey has been decreased by three quarters as a result of the relevant regulation implemented in the country.

"The Zero Waste Project launched under my wife’s auspices has been rapidly adopted by all of our cities and organizations," he noted.

We popularize the Zero Waste Project across Turkey. We will have transitioned to the Zero Waste system in nearly 400 thousand residences by 2023. We will have increased the rate of waste recycling from 13% to 35%," he said.

ILKHA