First Lady of the Maldives, Sajidha Mohamed, has met with the First Lady of Turkey, Emine Erdoğan, on the sidelines of the ongoing COP31 summit. During the high-level meeting, both first ladies discussed strengthening bilateral collaboration in environmental protection and exploring sustainable solutions for waste management.
During their discussions, First Lady Emine Erdoğan shared insights into the "Zero Waste Foundation," an initiative established in 2017 under her patronage. The two first ladies examined potential areas of joint cooperation aimed at advancing the global Zero Waste movement and developing sustainable practices across both nations.
Highlighting the importance of grassroots environmental action, Emine Erdoğan encouraged First Lady Sajidha to take the lead in driving a national Zero Waste campaign in the Maldives. She emphasized the vital role of relevant government ministries, noting that close collaboration among state institutions is essential for effectively implementing nationwide environmental policies.
The Turkish First Lady also underlined the necessity of engaging women and children in conservation efforts, pointing out that community-wide participation is crucial for reducing waste and fostering long-term environmental stewardship.
In response, First Lady Sajidha Mohamed highlighted key steps already underway in the Maldives, noting that single-use plastics have now been banned across all Maldivian schools. The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their shared commitment to environmental protection and sustainable waste management.