New York, 27 March 2026(Ghufran): Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to global zero-waste efforts while addressing the commemoration of the International Day of Zero Waste 2026, held under the theme “The Zero Food Waste Challenge: Breakthroughs and Innovative Approaches.”
In his statement, Ambassador Ahmad congratulated United Nations Environment Programme and UN-Habitat for organizing the event and commended Türkiye for its leadership in advancing zero-waste initiatives, particularly recognizing the pioneering contributions of Emine Erdoğan.
Highlighting the urgency of the issue, the Ambassador noted that nearly one billion tonnes of food are wasted annually, while more than 820 million people worldwide continue to face hunger. He underscored that food loss and waste contribute up to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, stressing that tackling food waste is intrinsically linked to addressing climate change, food insecurity, and poverty.
“Addressing food waste is not only an environmental and economic imperative but also a moral and religious obligation,” he stated, emphasizing the need for a fundamental shift in societal attitudes toward food consumption and conservation.
Ambassador Ahmad further pointed out that in developing countries, including Pakistan, structural challenges such as inadequate cold chain systems, inefficient distribution networks, and limited food processing capacity significantly contribute to food losses before reaching consumers.
He stressed the importance of innovation and technology in addressing these gaps, including smart storage solutions and digital tools to track and reduce waste. In this regard, he called for enhanced international cooperation, increased financial support, and the transfer of technology on concessional terms to enable developing countries to effectively combat food waste.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment, the Ambassador expressed support for global zero-waste initiatives and appreciated Türkiye’s efforts in bringing the issue to the forefront of the international agenda. He also reiterated Pakistan’s full support for the President-Designate of COP31 in ensuring a successful conference.
The International Day of Zero Waste highlights the critical need for sustainable consumption and production patterns, with a particular focus this year on addressing food waste through innovative and collaborative solutions.