The Green Growth and Sustainable Development Summit, where green growth was evaluated from the political and economic effects of local governments' perspective, was held in Kulakkaya Plateau of Giresun. Participants from important bureaucrats and institutions attended the summit, organized by Bahçeşehir University,and United Nations. Local people, students and representatives of non-governmental organizations also attended the summit, which was open to the general public and free of charge.
Within the scope of the Green Growth Model and Sustainable Development Goals and national adaptation strategies, which advocate the efficient use of natural resources, minimize pollution and environmental impacts, and optimize the effective use of environmental management and natural capital; Scientists, policy makers, public and private sector representatives came together at the Kulakkaya Green Growth and Sustainable Development Summit.
The meeting held at Zifin Hotel was attended by AK Party Giresun Deputy Kadir Aydın, Giresun Governor Enver Ünlü, BAU Global President Enver Yücel, Giresun University Rector Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Can, Rector of Ordu University Prof. Dr. Ali Akdoğan, Rector of Bahçeşehir University Prof. Dr. Şirin Karadeniz and academics from various universities attended. OECD Permanent Representative of Türkiye Prof. Dr. Kerem Alkin and UN Resident Coordinator Alvaro Rodriguez attended the meeting via teleconference and provided information.
Bahçeşehir University Rector Prof. Dr. Şirin Karadeniz, Rector of Ordu University Prof. Dr. Ali Akdoğan, OECD Türkiye Permanent Representative Prof. Dr. Kerem Alkin, UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Alvaro Rodriguez, BAU Global President Mr. Enver Yücel and TR Giresun Governor Mr. Enver Ünlü made the opening speeches. It was held with the participation of public, private sector, local governments, NGOs and academy members, who are the stakeholders of the field of green growth and sustainable development.
After the opening speeches, the program continued with 3 different sessions. Participants made speeches and presentations about the measures taken in certain sectors regarding the climate crisis and their evaluations under the panel titles Political Economy and Green Growth, Economic Effects of Adapting to Green Growth, Green Growth from the Perspective of the Company and Local Government.
BAU Global President Enver Yücel, in his statement about the meeting, said that they were instrumental in bringing an important issue discussed in the world to Turkey's agenda again. Pointing out that universities are not only places where information is transferred to students, Yücel stated that universities are also places where ideas and suggestions about the development and future of society and the world are transferred. Yücel said, “Considering our future; We are organizing such an event in our region in order not to consume or end the world. We also consider the region's contribution to tourism. Today, economic forms are being built in such campuses in Davos. "I take this opportunity to say that similar events can be held here on a regular basis from now on," he said.
Noting that green growth means not destroying the future, Yücel said, “Green growth; It means carrying out your activities without harming the world, without consuming our future, without destroying the future. That's why we need to ensure social awareness. In our schools, we have included lessons on climate change in the curriculum since kindergarten. We set lessons for sustainable development goals and objectives. In other words, we are doing these activities to raise awareness about the future world being a world where our children can live better. "They provide information to both the business world, government officials and academics about the development of this economy and how sustainable development will be," he said.
Yücel continued his words as follows: “Our whole concern is our world. This is not a phenomenon that only belongs to Turkey. At the same time, today's climate change is a global problem. As the President of UN Istanbul UNITAR Turkey, we are carrying out these studies to raise awareness with active Non-Governmental Organizations in various parts of the world by including this awareness in the UN.”
BAU Rector Prof. Dr. Şirin Karadeniz said, “Economic development now means not only growing and becoming economically stronger, but also doing this without harming nature and protecting nature. Green transformation and growth have become a very important state plan in all countries in the world such as the United Nations, America, the European Union and the UK, but while making this plan, not only economic but also social, political and climate change are addressed in a multi-faceted interdisciplinary manner. "We brought together all stakeholders at this summit to discuss how green growth can be and what the strategies required to produce workforce during this green growth and to be at the forefront in green development can be," he said.
Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Governor Enver Ünlü pointed out the importance of green growth and said, “Green growth and sustainable development are among the important issues that have been on the agenda of both our country and the world since the 20th century. Sustainable development, which can meet the needs of today's generations without compromising the ability to meet the needs of future generations, has become a global implementation plan with international agreements. Until now, many steps have been taken regarding environmental awareness, international agreements have been signed and summits have been held. Very important decisions have been made regarding the steps to be taken regarding green growth and sustainable development in the world. In our country, the environmental law, which includes the definitions of sustainable environment and sustainable development, came into force in 1983. "The purpose of this law is to ensure that the environment, which is the common existence of living things, is protected in line with the principles of sustainable environment and sustainable development," he said.
Following the speeches, the summit, where the concept of sustainable economy and its models were discussed from the perspective of economy and governance, ended with general evaluation and closing speeches.
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