David Songulashvili Participates in the Opening Ceremony of the High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Reducing Primary Food Losses in Istanbul

As part of his working visit to Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr David Songulashvili, participated in the opening ceremony of a high-level Ministerial meeting during the Zero Waste Forum.

“The Ministerial meeting, held under the patronage of the First Lady of the Republic of Türkiye, addressed highly significant issues related to the Zero Waste policy and sustainable waste management. At a time when climate change represents one of the most pressing global challenges, the effective and responsible management of waste has become increasingly important. Sustainable waste management is a key component of climate change mitigation and environmental protection policies.

These critical issues were at the core of the Ministerial discussions. Several important and timely topics were addressed, all of which constitute essential elements in tackling this global challenge,” stated Mr David Songulashvili.

The Zero Waste Forum was organised under the leadership and patronage of Mrs Emine Erdoğan, First Lady of the Republic of Türkiye. The opening ceremony featured welcoming remarks by Mr İbrahim Yumaklı, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye.

The Ministerial meeting focused on practical approaches to reducing food losses during the post-harvest stages of production, enhancing supply chain efficiency, advancing modern logistics infrastructure, and strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors. Particular emphasis was placed on the role of innovative technologies and investments in building sustainable and resilient food systems.

Alongside Minister David Songulashvili, the opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister, Mr Zurab Ezugbaia, and Georgia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Türkiye, Mr Archil Kalandia.

The broader forum brought together approximately 1,600 participants from nearly 50 delegations, including policymakers, representatives of United Nations agencies, the private sector, academia, and civil society organisations.