Samed Ağırbaş leads global climate action at World Bank Spring Meetings.

Samed Ağırbaş led high-level engagements in Washington during the IMF | World Bank Spring Meetings (13–16 April) to position COP31 Antalya as an "implementation event" focused on climate finance, resilience, and inclusive global action.

Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation of Türkiye and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion, led a series of engagements in Washington, D.C., from 13–16 April during the IMF | World Bank Spring Meetings. The visits involved meetings with international finance institutions and other global stakeholders. The stated aim was to align COP31 Antalya with the international financial system and to mobilize partnerships that turn commitments into scalable action. The Zero Waste Foundation's agenda framed zero waste and circular economy approaches as part of broader economic and climate solutions. Key points: - Samed Ağırbaş conducted meetings with the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, multilateral development banks, the World Economic Forum, private sector leaders, and bilateral partners from multiple regions. - The stated objective was to position COP31 Antalya as an "implementation event" that focuses on climate finance, resilience, and inclusive participation. - A central theme was reshaping climate finance to reach local economies, create jobs, and support resilience, including discussions on bankable, scalable projects. - The Zero Waste Foundation promoted zero waste and circular economy approaches as tools for resource efficiency and economic transformation. - Adaptation priorities highlighted included water systems, food security, urban infrastructure, and blue-economy measures such as coastal ecosystems and mangroves. Summary: The engagements are described as an effort to translate climate finance commitments into tangible investments and bankable project pipelines by aligning public, private, and multilateral actors. COP31 Antalya is presented as the next major platform for advancing these implementation pathways, with emphasis on scaling adaptation finance, de-risking mechanisms, and developing projects that aim to deliver local impact.