Istanbul 2020 strengthens Turkey's green goals

Istanbul, April 15, 2013: This week, Istanbul 2020 is strengthening its commitment to ecology by announcing that a tree will be planted for every person attending the 10th United Nations Forest Forum in Istanbul; this initiative comes in addition to the planting of more than a million trees in Istanbul since 2011. The Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, fully committed to the Istanbul 2020 candidacy, gave the speech opening of this Forum, just a few weeks after welcoming the IOC Evaluation Commission in Istanbul.

As a member of the C-40 group (forty major cities committed to combating climate change – http://www.c40cities.org/about), Istanbul is working to develop renewable energy sources, paving the way for a future with lower carbon emissions. The projects in the application are fully aligned with those of Turkey's Master Plan for 2023, which includes initiatives in terms of improving environmental protection, renewable energy, adaptation to climate change, sustainable urban development and progress in terms of accessibility and social inclusion. Istanbul 2020's commitments to the environment are highlighted in its bid file, which sets four major priorities:

•   Land reclamation and historic preservation of sites
•   Climate and clean energy
•   Education and engagement
•  Widespread access to drinking water

Among the initiatives planned by Istanbul 2020 for a greener Olympic Games: the zone hosting the Olympic city would accelerate the transition towards reducing carbon emissions, in Turkey and elsewhere.

Hasan Arat, President of the Istanbul 2020 bid, commented on the United Nations Forum in Istanbul:

“Turkey's commitment to sustainable development, and Istanbul's increasingly important role as a negotiating center in recent years, make it the ideal destination to host the 10th leg of the United Nations Forest Forum . The planting of a million trees, on the occasion of the 9th stage of the Forum, coupled with the initiative of one tree planted for each participant this year, demonstrates the Turkish government's commitment to the environment. This ecological commitment is one of the main pillars of the legacy of Istanbul 2020. Turkey's experience and financial stability help ensure that the environmental initiatives planned for the Games have a strong and lasting impact on the city , the nation, the region and the Olympic Movement as a whole. »

Ugur Erdener, IOC member and President of the Turkish National Olympic Committee, detailed the legacy planned by the candidacy:

“Through the organization of the Games in 2020, we want to develop a feeling of pride among our young population regarding the great ecological diversity of Istanbul. We want young Turks to invest in ecology and become environmental ambassadors to young people around the world. Through the Games, we hope to become a positive and universal example of successful sustainable development. »

The 10th UN Forum on Forests in Istanbul will bring together high-ranking delegations from 197 countries; Istanbul was the only city to host the event outside of the United Nations headquarters in New York, an illustration of the growing recognition of Istanbul's role as a center for diplomatic discussions.