Zubaida calls for global cooperation to turn waste into resources

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s wife Zubaida Rahman on Wednesday called for stronger global cooperation, affordable climate finance and technology transfer to achieve zero waste, saying waste should be turned into resources, clean energy and opportunities for growth.

“Waste should not be wasted without any use. It should become a resource, a source of energy, and an opportunity for growth,” she said while addressing a high-level meeting of spouses of world leaders on the Global Zero Waste Alliance on the sidelines of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye.

The meeting was convened by Turkish First Lady Emine Erdoğan, whom Zubaida thanked for her leadership in promoting the zero-waste agenda.

She said Bangladesh strongly supported the Global Zero Waste Alliance, which is aligned with the government's vision of a cleaner environment, healthier communities and a sustainable future.

Zubaida said the government's 3R strategy promotes waste reduction, reuse and recycling, while the Solid Waste Management Rules strengthen waste segregation and safe disposal.

Under its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), Bangladesh aims to reduce 1.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions from the waste sector by 2035, she said.

The prime minister’s wife said the country's priorities include recycling, composting, landfill-gas recovery, waste-to-energy projects, improved wastewater treatment and the safe management of medical and healthcare waste.

Highlighting a major initiative in the capital, she said a waste-to-energy project was being developed in Dhaka to process 3,000 tonnes of household waste every day and generate 42.5 megawatts of electricity.

“We want to expand such projects to major cities across Bangladesh,” Zubaida said, adding that the goal was to turn urban waste into clean energy while protecting the environment.

She also said the government was working to clean lakes, canals, ponds and wetlands to reduce plastic pollution.

Describing jute as a natural alternative to plastic, the prime minister’s wife said Bangladesh was promoting products made from its golden fibre and invited the participants to visit the Bangladesh Jute Pavilion in the Green Zone.

She said Bangladesh, as a signatory to the Global Methane Pledge, was committed to reducing methane emissions through climate-smart farming, improved rice cultivation and the conversion of organic waste into bio-fertilisers and clean energy.

Zubaida stressed the need for affordable climate finance, technology transfer, capacity-building and stronger private-sector participation to achieve zero waste.

She also called for better protection of informal waste workers and greater involvement of young people in environmental initiatives.

“Environmental awareness must start in our homes, schools and communities. Our young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they must be part of the solutions today.” 

She said Bangladesh stood ready to strengthen global cooperation and translate shared commitments into practical action. “Let us turn waste into resources, pollution into solutions, and commitments into action.”