Aafrin Kidwai 
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has formally recognized the importance of zero-waste initiatives and proclaimed 30 March as the International Day of Zero Waste, to be observed annually beginning in 2023.
The International Day of Zero Waste aims to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns and raise awareness about how zero-waste initiatives contribute to the advancement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Zero-waste initiatives can foster sound waste management and minimize and prevent waste. This contributes to reducing pollution, mitigating the climate crisis, conserving biodiversity, enhancing food security and improving human health.
The United Nations Environment Programme and UN-Habitat will facilitate the observance of the Day. All Member States, organizations of the United Nations system and relevant stakeholders are encouraged to implement zero-waste initiatives at local, regional, subnational and national levels.
The UNGA President will convene a one-day high-level meeting on Zero Waste on Thursday, 30 March 2023 at 10 am EDT, in the General Assembly Hall.
The meeting will provide a platform to exchange the experiences and success stories of Member States in developing and implementing solid waste management solutions and technologies, including innovative projects and programmes such as local and national zero-waste initiatives to foster the environmentally sound management of waste.
