ASCIF Strengthens Global Climate Leadership: Partner Samed Ağırbaş Appointed COP31 Climate High-Level Champion

The global climate agenda is gaining powerful momentum, and the African Smart Cities Innovation Foundation (ASCIF) is proud to play an active role in this transformative moment.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations and full support to our esteemed partner Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation, who has been officially appointed as COP31 Climate High-Level Champion by the Republic of Türkiye. This prestigious role was announced by COP31 President-Designate and Türkiye’s Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, in late January 2026.

The appointment recognizes Samed Ağırbaş’s exceptional leadership in sustainability, his extensive multilateral experience, including work with UN-Habitat, and his proven track record in translating ambitious environmental goals into tangible, on-the-ground impact through the Zero Waste Foundation. As Climate High-Level Champion, he will work alongside COP30 Champion Dan Ioschpe to mobilize cities, regions, businesses, investors, and civil society under the Global Climate Action Agenda and the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action. His focus will be on accelerating voluntary, inclusive climate solutions that complement the formal negotiations at COP31.

COP31 itself will take place from 9 to 20 November 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, at the Antalya Expo Center. The conference will bring together representatives from nearly 200 countries to advance the UNFCCC process, the Paris Agreement, and critical discussions on mitigation, adaptation, finance, and loss and damage. Türkiye’s hosting, following negotiations at COP30, positions the country as a key bridge between regions and underscores the growing importance of practical, scalable climate action.

A Strategic Partnership with Global Reach

ASCIF and the Zero Waste Foundation renewed our collaboration in 2025 at the Global Zero Waste Forum in Istanbul. This partnership has already yielded meaningful results in promoting zero-waste practices, community education, and ecological regeneration in African urban contexts.

Now, with Samed Ağırbaş leading the High-Level Champion efforts for COP31, we are presented with an unprecedented opportunity to amplify African perspectives on the world stage. Together, we aim to:

• Showcase innovative African urban resilience models
• Scale practical zero-waste strategies that significantly reduce emissions
• Create pathways for green jobs and inclusive economic growth
• Strengthen cross-continental alliances between African cities, Turkish leadership, and global stakeholders

This collaboration embodies what effective climate partnership should be: cross-continental, people-centered, and firmly focused on measurable, real-world impact.

Why This Matters for African Smart Cities

Africa faces some of the most pressing climate challenges, urban population growth, vulnerability to extreme weather, waste management pressures, and energy access gaps. Yet the continent also holds immense potential for leapfrogging to sustainable, circular, and resilient urban systems.

By actively contributing to the COP31 process through our partnership, ASCIF is helping ensure that African innovations in smart cities, zero-waste urban planning, and community-driven resilience are not just heard but prioritized in global climate decision-making.

We believe that solutions grounded in local realities, led by passionate changemakers like Samed Ağırbaş, are essential to closing the gap between international commitments and on-the-ground progress.

Looking Ahead to Antalya

As preparations for COP31 intensify, ASCIF remains committed to supporting Samed Ağırbaş and the broader High-Level Champion efforts. We will continue advocating for inclusive, actionable climate strategies that empower communities, especially women and youth, and integrate smart urban innovation with zero-waste principles.

We invite our partners, stakeholders, and the wider community to join us on this journey.

• Are you preparing initiatives, research, or advocacy for COP31?
• How can African urban innovation contribute to the global climate agenda?
• What role should zero-waste and circular economy approaches play at COP31?

Share your thoughts in the comments below or reach out to us directly at [email protected]. Together, we can connect the dots and drive meaningful change.

Read more about our work in smart cities, climate resilience, and sustainable urban development at ascif.org.

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