A landmark international summit on sustainability has concluded with the adoption of the Istanbul Declaration on Zero Waste 2025 by over 100 countries, as Pakistan’s National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) was formally inducted as a strategic partner in the global movement.
According to a report by National University of Medical Sciences on Tuesday, the inaugural Global Zero Waste Forum, held in Istanbul, Trkiye, represented a significant step in worldwide efforts to advance the circular economy and climate resilience. The gathering was organised by the Zero Waste Foundation in collaboration with Trkiye’s Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the United Nations, under the patronage of Her Excellency Ms. Emine Erdogan.
This premier event convened a vast assembly of international stakeholders, including more than 60 distinguished speakers, senior UN officials, representatives from 100 nations, and 118 partner organisations. The university was represented at the international event by Dr Adeela Bashir, the lead for its Zero Waste project.
Under the theme ‘Zero Waste in Action: People. Places. Progress,’ the three-day symposium served as a high-level platform for policymakers, academics, and industry leaders. Participants engaged in dynamic sessions focused on actionable strategies for waste management, sustainable production and consumption, prevention of food loss, green finance, and international cooperation.
NUMS received an invitation to the partnership from the Zero Waste Forum (ZWF) in recognition of the university”s role in promoting waste reduction initiatives. This new alliance, coinciding with the fifth year of the university”s environmental stewardship programme, was formalised with the signing of a letter of intent between representatives of NUMS and the ZWF to advance shared objectives.
The summit culminated in the Istanbul Declaration on Zero Waste 2025, which reaffirms the principles of UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/77/161 promoting zero waste initiatives globally. The event also provided a crucial opportunity for attendees to strengthen networks with sustainability leaders, fostering new avenues for collaboration in environmental education and policy.
Through this strategic partnership, NUMS aims to contribute to the global zero waste movement by collaborating with national and international bodies to advance research and innovation. This work aligns with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).