TÜBA Circular Economy Symposium

TÜBA Circular Economy Symposium

TÜBA Circular Economy Symposium was held as an online program under the guidance of TÜBA Sustainable Development, Finance, and Environment Working Group and cooperation with Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University and SDSN Turkey and supports from Istanbul Medeniyet University and Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University on 19-20 February 2021.

The Sustainable Development Goals put into practice within the framework of the United Nations, in other words, the Global Goals is one of the initiatives to eliminate poverty in the world, protect the planet and ensure that all people live in peace and prosperity. In this context, the concept of sustainable development has become one of the primary goals of the states with the United Nations (UN). The goals summarized as follows “end poverty and hunger, raise healthy individuals, provide a qualified education, ensure that every people on earth has access to clean water and healthy conditions, provide accessible and clean energy, contribute to economic recovery by creating decent employment areas, develop industry, innovation, and infrastructure, take steps for reducing inequalities, create sustainable cities and living spaces, ensure responsible consumption and production, combat environmental problems such as climate change, found prosperity and peace, and establish partnership and cooperation around them” are closely related to each other.

For the year 2021, the theme of the Symposium that is jointly organized by Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, UN SDSN Turkey, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Istanbul Medeniyet University, and TÜBA Sustainable Development, Finance and Environment Working Group is determined as Circular Economy. Every waste generated in the circular economy is re-evaluated and raw material costs are reduced. This is to ensure a more environmental-friendlier and sustainable economic ecosystem through the efficient recovery of resources. Multidimensional discussion of the concept of “circular economy” within the context of sustainable development, finance and environment is targeted.

TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker underlined certain points in his opening speech; "Humanity and countries have faced many challenges, especially since the beginning of the 21st century. Wars, conflicts, forced migrations, global warming, and finally, the pandemic we are still going through it have taught human beings a lot. First of all, it should be emphasized that the level of prosperity reached by societies today is the common heritage of all civilizations. For this reason, all countries have to struggle together with the problems facing the world. In this context, “Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)” determined by the United Nations is important in terms of spreading prosperity to the whole world. These goals, which include many agendas from fighting poverty and hunger, from healthy and quality living, from qualified education to clean energy, from responsible production and consumption to the protection of the environment, aim to ensure that people live in peace and prosperity. Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA) – Sustainable Development, Finance, and Environment Working Group starts its studies with a holistic and multidisciplinary approach, with the “Circular Economy Symposium”, in which countries will seek answers to the problems they will experience in areas such as economy, finance, and environment. I wish the activities of our working group to be beneficial and productive for our country and all humanity."

The first session of the Symposium started with the Public Policies in Circular Economy with the moderation of Prof. Mehmet Bulut, Rector of the Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University. Firstly, The Minister of Industry and Technology of Turkey Mustafa Varank gave a speech on the activities and current prominent situation of Turkey's science and technology environment in terms of Circular Economy. After his speech, the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkey Dr. Bekir Pakdemirli has a presentation on the environmental and sustainable policies of Turkey. Vice Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services of Turkey Mehmet Selim Bağlı made a speech on circular economy practices in terms of employment and social policies as the next speaker. Prof. Dr. Jeffrey D. Sachs, Director of United Nation Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN) & Columbia University academic member, talked about UN Sustainable Development Goals in the Post-COVID-19 Period in the last session of Friday on February 18.

Themes of the Symposium
Circular Economy in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Circular Economy Applications in the World
Opportunities of the Circular Economy in the Post-COVID-19 Period
Public Policies in Circular Economy
Circular Economy Investments
Circular Economy by Sector
Circular Economy and Environment
Circular Economy and Employment
Circular Economy and Finance
Circular Economy and Agriculture

Organization Committee of the Symposium
Prof. Muzaffer Şeker Turkish Academy of Sciences
Prof. Mehmet Bulut Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University
Prof. İbrahim Aydınlı Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University
Prof. İsmail Koyuncu Istanbul Technical University
Prof. Gülfettin Çelik Istanbul Medeniyet University
Prof. Muhsin Kar Nigde Omer Halisdemir University
Prof. İzzet Öztürk Istanbul Teknik University
Prof. Mehmed Özkan Bogazici University
Prof. Erdal Tanas Karagöl Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University
Prof. Ekrem Tatoğlu Ibn Haldun University
Prof. Mustafa Acar Konya Necmettin Erbakan University
Prof. Bayram Zafer Erdoğan Anadolu University
Assoc Prof. Fatih Cemil Özbuğday Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University
Assoc Prof. Burhan Uluyol Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University
Assoc Prof. Benaouda Bensaid Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University
Assoc. Prof. Cem Korkut Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University
Dr. Tamer Atabarut UN SDSN Turkey

Symposium Scientific Secretary
Assoc. Prof. Cem Korkut, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University
Res. Asst. Nurgül Sevinç Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University