October 16, 2025 | Istanbul, Türkiye & Dhaka, Bangladesh
In a powerful testament to international solidarity and South–South cooperation, SERAC-Bangladesh has officially entered into a strategic partnership with the Zero Waste Foundation in Istanbul, Türkiye. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed today, marks a significant milestone in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG 12): Responsible Consumption and Production — a cornerstone of the global agenda for sustainable development.
The collaboration unfolds under the visionary leadership of Her Excellency Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, First Lady of Türkiye and Patron of the Zero Waste Foundation, whose commitment to environmental stewardship has inspired a worldwide movement for a circular, waste-free future. Through her guidance, the Zero Waste Foundation has become a global catalyst for sustainability, encouraging nations to rethink consumption patterns and embrace responsible production.
The MoU was signed by Mustafa Erdağı, General Manager of the Zero Waste Foundation, and SM Shaikat, Executive Director of SERAC-Bangladesh, on the sidelines of the Zero Waste Forum 2025 in Istanbul, an event that convened global changemakers, policymakers, and innovators to accelerate action on circular economies and sustainable living.
The partnership symbolizes not only an exchange of ideas but also a concrete commitment to cooperation between two dynamic nations of the Global South, emphasizing the shared responsibility to lead by example in tackling the planet’s waste crisis.
This moment holds special significance as it coincides with SERAC-Bangladesh’s 32nd Inauguration Day. For over three decades, SERAC has been at the forefront of civic innovation, youth empowerment, and climate action. Today’s collaboration heralds a new chapter — one that bridges continents and mobilizes young people in Bangladesh and beyond to co-create sustainable solutions.
This collaboration exemplifies how South–South partnerships can accelerate progress toward the SDGs by sharing local knowledge, innovations, and values rooted in community resilience. By uniting efforts from Istanbul to Dhaka, this initiative aims to inspire similar cross-border collaborations that transform global aspirations into local realities.
We look forward to turning this commitment into action on the ground in Bangladesh through public campaigns, youth-led zero waste initiatives, and community-based behavioral change models.