The conference presented the Samsun Provincial Zero Waste Target Document, developed through a 255-participant workshop covering waste management, climate priorities, transport, resource efficiency, and sustainable development.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu attended the final conference of the Türkiye Zero Waste, Environment and Climate Change Workshops – Samsun Workshop, hosted by Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) at the Şehit Ömer Halisdemir Multipurpose Hall.

In his address, Minister Uraloğlu evaluated the outcomes of the Samsun stage of the nationwide initiative carried out by the Zero Waste Foundation under the motto “From Local to National: Waste Prevention, Waste Management and Resource Management.”

Held under the auspices of the Governorship of Samsun, the Samsun Zero Waste, Environment and Climate Change Workshop brought together 255 participants across 14 thematic roundtables to identify the city’s priorities in waste prevention, waste management, environmental protection, and climate action.

Uraloğlu said the findings had been consolidated into the Samsun Provincial Zero Waste Target Document.

Describing the process as a model that transforms local experience into national policy, he said:

“Samsun’s document will become one of the strong links in the chain of workshops that will extend across all 81 provinces.”

Net-Zero Emissions Target for Transport

Uraloğlu said the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure regards the Zero Waste Movement, launched under the leadership of Emine Erdoğan in 2017, not only as an environmental initiative but also as part of a broader vision for economic resilience and development.

Under a cooperation protocol signed with the Zero Waste Foundation, the Ministry is working to improve waste management in transport projects, increase the use of recycled materials in construction and maintenance, and expand zero-waste practices at ports, airports, and railway stations.

“The transport sector accounts for 21 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it the third-largest source worldwide, while in Türkiye it ranks second with a 17.6 percent share,” Uraloğlu said.

“With this awareness, we are implementing Türkiye’s Net-Zero Emissions Roadmap for Transport across all modes of transportation. Within this project, supported through financial cooperation with the European Union, we are conducting emissions modelling, developing projections under different scenarios, and moving steadily toward our 2053 net-zero emissions target.”

He added that the project analyzes the current state of road, rail, air, and maritime transport and develops projections based on vehicle numbers, fuel types, and emissions.

“The Number of Electric Vehicles Has Exceeded 450,000”

Uraloğlu said Türkiye’s divided-road network had expanded from 6,101 kilometres to 30,120 kilometres over the past 24 years, adding that smoother traffic flows were preventing an estimated 6.57 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

He also highlighted ecological bridges, bicycle routes, solar power plants, and asphalt recycling facilities as measures contributing to a lower carbon footprint.

According to Uraloğlu, approximately 2 million tonnes of asphalt are recycled each year, supporting greater resource and energy efficiency.

Emphasizing the role of electric vehicles in the transition to cleaner energy, Uraloğlu said:

“As of the first half of 2026, the number of electric vehicles in Türkiye has exceeded 450,000, while the number of charging connectors has reached approximately 47,000. I would also like to note that Türkiye ranks first in Europe in terms of the number of vehicles per charging connector.”

He added that the Ministry had launched its Intelligent Transportation Systems Central Software Platform along the Hasdal–Istanbul Airport 5G corridor and plans to expand the fibre-optic infrastructure across Türkiye’s road network to 20,000 kilometres.

Rail Freight Target Set at 22 Percent

Uraloğlu said the Ministry aims to increase railways’ share of freight transportation from 5 percent to 22 percent, supporting a safer, more balanced, and environmentally sustainable multimodal transport system.

He also referred to the Green Port Certification scheme and decarbonization projects in maritime transport.

On aviation, Uraloğlu said:

“Under the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme administered by Airports Council International, Türkiye ranks third in the world with 52 carbon-accredited airports. We are also continuing our work toward zero emissions in aviation by using electric vehicles for ‘Follow Me’ services at airports.”

“Not Merely an Environmental Document”

Uraloğlu emphasized that Samsun is one of Türkiye’s strategic production and trade hubs due to its port, logistics centers, industrial base, agriculture, and access to the Black Sea.

He said the Samsun Provincial Zero Waste Target Document had therefore been prepared with a broad scope reflecting the city’s economic and logistical characteristics.

“The Provincial Zero Waste Target Document being presented here is not merely an environmental document,” Uraloğlu said. “It is also a development document covering transport, construction waste, port and airport operations, urban mobility, and resource efficiency.”

He added that the Ministry would continue to increase the use of recycled materials in construction and maintenance activities, expand zero-waste standards at ports and airports, and support combined transport solutions that shift freight from roads toward maritime and rail transport.

Uraloğlu also said the Ministry would contribute to the work of the Zero Waste Board to be established under the Governorship of Samsun and expressed his hope that the Samsun Provincial Zero Waste Target Document would benefit both the city and Türkiye.

Following the conference, Minister Uraloğlu visited stands showcasing examples of zero-waste best practices from Samsun.

The event was attended by Samsun Governor Orhan Tavlı, Members of Parliament Çiğdem Karaaslan, Yusuf Ziya Yılmaz, Ersan Aksu, and Orhan Kırcalı, Samsun Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Halit Doğan, Chair and Director General of the State Airports Authority Fatih Çakmak, OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın, Samsun University Rector Prof. Dr. Mahmut Aydın, representatives of public institutions and organizations, and members of the public.