Erdoğan said Türkiye is committed to leaving future generations a livable world in critical areas such as climate change, environmental protection and food security. “In a world where we witness the struggle of millions who cannot find even dry bread on the one hand, and growing food waste on the other, we can speak of neither peace, nor tranquility, nor prosperity,” he said.
Stressing that Türkiye sees access to safe food not merely as a supply issue but as a core element of national security, Erdoğan said: “We are striving to establish an understanding that, as our ancestors did, regards every blessing as precious.”
“We cut bread waste by 18%”
Citing global reports showing that 60% of food waste occurs in households, at the consumer stage, and that around 1.5 billion tons of food produced each year is lost or wasted worldwide, Erdoğan said Türkiye attaches particular importance to fighting food loss and waste as well as to productivity in production.
He said the “Protect Your Food, Look After Your Table” initiative launched in 2020 had made major progress in a short time, and that a campaign against bread waste had reduced it by 18%. Through the Zero Waste movement launched nine years ago under the leadership of his wife, Emine Erdoğan, Türkiye is contributing to global awareness, he added.
COP31 and the Turquoise Connection Initiative
Erdoğan said Türkiye plans steps to turn its experience into practice during the UN climate conference COP31, to be held in Antalya on Nov. 9-20, and aims to bring food security and climate commitments together on common ground through its “Turquoise Connection Initiative.”
Mehdi Eker for FAO Director-General
Recalling that Türkiye, which hosts the FAO Subregional Office for Central Asia, has announced its candidacy for the organization’s Director-General election, Erdoğan said: “We count on your support for Dr. Mehdi Eker, who successfully served as our agriculture minister for many years.”
Eker, who served as Türkiye’s food, agriculture and livestock minister from 2005 to 2015, is the country’s first candidate for the top post at the FAO, of which Türkiye has been a member since 1948. He launched his campaign at the 181st session of the FAO Council in June and said in late September that around 100 countries had pledged support. The election is expected in Rome in 2027.
Message screened in the FAO plenary hall
Türkiye's Embassy in Rome said President Erdoğan joined the Grand Opening of the World Food Forum 2026 at FAO headquarters in Rome with a video keynote address, which was shown to delegates on the large screens of the plenary hall.
