Zero Waste Forum 2026, organised by the Zero Waste Foundation, convened in Istanbul from June 5–7 under the theme 'Road to Antalya: Zero Waste as Climate Action.' The event gathered over 5,000 participants, including more than 120 ministers from 183 countries and hundreds of mayors, to strengthen implementation readiness for COP31 in Antalya. The forum served as a high-level rehearsal for the Zero Waste Movement, accelerating coordination and partnerships ahead of the climate conference.

Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion, emphasised the practical nature of the agenda. 'Zero waste is a practical climate action agenda focused on prevention, systems change and implementation capacity,' he said. The forum provided a platform for policy and diplomacy, while the concurrent Zero Waste Festival offered public visibility and awareness for the zero waste agenda.

The programme featured 247 speakers and maintained a broad, cross-sectoral focus, with a thematic emphasis on food waste and methane action as strategic climate priorities. Key outputs from the forum included the Road to Antalya Declaration, the City Action Commitments Package, the Food Waste and Methane Action Guide, and the Partnership and Project Pipeline. These documents translate stakeholder priorities into COP31-aligned implementation pathways.

Public engagement was a central component of Zero Waste Week, organised by the Governorship of Istanbul in cooperation with the Zero Waste Foundation from June 1-7. The Zero Waste Festival, one of Europe’s largest environmental events, welcomed more than 1 million visitors. Through exhibitions, workshops, and interactive experiences, the festival connected public audiences with the zero waste agenda, positioning Istanbul as a global platform for environmental action.

The forum and festival collectively demonstrated how COP31 can connect high-level ambition with practical action, spanning governments, cities, and citizens. The initiatives highlighted the importance of public ownership in advancing zero waste and climate goals.