Bonn, Germany—The Climate High-Level Champions and the Zero Waste Foundation met with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) at the UN Campus on 12 June 2026.
The meeting, which included COP31 Climate High-Level Champion Samed Ağırbaş and Louise Chamberlain, UNV Deputy Executive Coordinator, focused on the priorities of both organizations and on ways to align efforts around the International Volunteer Year 2026.
Louise Chamberlain, UNV Deputy Executive Coordinator, shared, “UNV supports climate action in 90 countries as part of its commitment to sustainable development. Today, we have over 430 UN Volunteers working to support governments and communities in protecting our planet. UNV stands ready to align its efforts with partners ahead of COP31 in Antalya and through the International Volunteer Year.”
Every year, more than one billion tonnes of food are wasted globally, while nearly 800 million people go hungry. This waste also accounts for 8–10 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions and puts enormous pressure on land, water, and natural ecosystems.
Samed Ağırbaş, COP31 Climate High-Level Champion and President of the Zero Waste Foundation, shared: “Climate action succeeds when people can see it, participate in it and benefit from it. Reducing food loss and waste is one of the most practical things we can do. It improves food security, cuts emissions, saves resources, and gives ordinary people a meaningful way to contribute. Volunteerism is the perfect vehicle to turn ambition into real action on the ground.”
The meeting set the stage for further discussions on a potential joint engagement around COP31 in Antalya.