WHO IS SAMED AĞIRBAŞ, PRESIDENT OF ZERO WASTE FOUNDATION AND COP31 CLIMATE CHAMPION?
Born in 1994 in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Samed Ağırbaş completed his undergraduate studies in architecture and city planning after graduating from Kadırga Industrial Vocational High School. Holding a master's degree in business and finance from Mississippi State University, Ağırbaş continues his academic studies as a doctoral student at the University of Massachusetts.
Taking an active role in national and international non-governmental organizations since the age of 15 and contributing to youth activities as a founder, president, and member, Ağırbaş served as a member of the Volunteer Program Field Coordination Team of the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency within the scope of projects carried out when Istanbul was declared the European Capital of Culture in 2010.
In 2011, while a student at Kadırga Industrial Vocational High School, he pioneered the establishment of a youth group called 'High School Entrepreneurs Club' and ensured the establishment of entrepreneurship clubs in high schools in Istanbul within the scope of a protocol signed with the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education. In the following years, the project was implemented across Turkey by the Ministry of National Education, leading to the opening of more than 3,000 entrepreneurship clubs.
He was elected President of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Youth Assembly in 2014, and concurrently assumed the presidencies of the Union of Municipalities of Turkey Youth Assembly and the World Humanitarian Summit Youth Working Group. By coordinating the official Youth Forum of the World Humanitarian Summit, he led the creation of action plans aimed at increasing the role of youth in humanitarian aid.
“By coordinating the official Youth Forum of the World Humanitarian Summit, he led action plans aimed at increasing the role of youth in humanitarian aid.”
He has carried out significant work and led projects on climate change, environment, zero waste, and urbanization in many international organizations such as the United Nations, OECD, and the European Union.
Awarded many national and international prizes for his work in youth, entrepreneurship, and education, he has authored books published in Turkish and English, such as 'Night and Day Istanbul' and 'The Adventure of Art,' as well as an academic study titled 'Ornamentation in Ottoman Architecture (Works of Mimar Sinan)'. He has also written numerous articles on zero waste, climate change, and urbanization.
He served as Special Advisor to the Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) and as UN-HABITAT Eastern Europe and Central Asia Advisor, coordinating relations between UN member states and UN agencies and leading various projects. He continues his work at the United Nations actively.
Currently, as the President and Chairman of the Board of the Zero Waste Foundation, he carries out national and international projects in the fields of sustainability, environment, and youth work. He speaks advanced English and beginner-level Portuguese.
Publications & Works
Night and Day Istanbul
A bilingual work published in Turkish and English exploring the cultural richness and dual faces of Istanbul.
The Adventure of Art
A comprehensive study examining the historical development of art and its impact on societal transformations.
Ornamentation in Ottoman Architecture
An academic work analyzing the art of ornamentation in Ottoman architecture through the works of Mimar Sinan.