Malaysia Reaffirms Support For Istanbul Declaration On Zero Waste

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia today reaffirmed its full support and endorsement of the Istanbul Declaration on Zero Waste, underscoring its commitment to advancing sustainable waste management and circular economy practices in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement.

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, who is also UN-Habitat Assembly president, said Malaysia stands in solidarity with the government of Turkiye and all 104 participating nations in promoting zero waste as a global duty and the foundation of sustainable urbanisation.

“Malaysia supports and endorses the Istanbul Declaration on Zero Waste, which calls for sustained political momentum, stronger multi-level cooperation and the acceleration of zero waste initiatives that contribute directly to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“This declaration also urges all nations to ensure equitable access to waste management and basic urban services so that no one and no place is left behind,” he said at the Ministerial Roundtable of the Global Zero Waste Forum 2025 in Istanbul.

Nga noted that Malaysia’s own actions reflect the international aspirations, highlighting the Malaysia Circular Economy Blueprint 2025-2035, which provides a strategic roadmap for sustainable waste management through five key pillars: governance and legislation, guidelines and procedures, digitisation and technology, infrastructure and facilities, and market creation.

He added that Malaysia’s initiatives, including closing more than 2,000 illegal dumpsites, achieving 100 per cent urban waste collection coverage, and diverting over 22,000 tonnes of recyclables from landfills, demonstrate that zero waste is both achievable and transformative when supported by sound policy and public participation.

“We commend the leadership of the government of Turkiye and the Zero Waste Foundation, under the patronage of Emine Erdogan, the First Lady of Turkiye, for driving this global movement. Malaysia is proud to stand among nations that are translating the zero waste vision into real-world impact,” he said.

The Global Zero Waste Forum 2025, themed ‘Zero Waste in Action: People, Places, Progress’, is being held from Oct 17 to 19 in Istanbul. 

The Istanbul Declaration on Zero Waste 2025, adopted by ministers and delegates from over 100 countries, reaffirms the principles of United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/77/161 on Promoting Zero Waste Initiatives.

It calls on all member states to sustain global political momentum in advancing the zero waste movement and the implementation of the New Urban Agenda; appoint national focal points to coordinate with the Zero Waste Foundation of Türkiye; and accelerate progress on several SDGs, including participation in UN-Habitat’s Waste Wise Cities initiative.

Integrate zero waste into local climate actions; and promote partnerships and investment with the private sector and multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

-- BERNAMA