Green Crescent Delivers Important Message at COP29

Yeşilay Deputy Director General Sümeyye Ceylan: "Several of the leading problems related to climate issues are also linked to the addiction industry."

Yeşilay participated for the third time in the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), the world's most important climate conference. At COP29, held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, between 11-24 November 2024, Yeşilay brought the connection between the addiction industry and climate change to the global agenda. At this important platform where countries come together to make decisions on climate change, Yeşilay organized a side event and delivered presentations in three sessions.

At the Turkey pavilion at the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Yeşilay organized a side event with the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. The event titled "Environmental and Social Impacts of the Illegal Drug Industry: Vulnerabilities Extending from Forest to Society" was attended by a representative of the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Yeşilay Deputy Director General Sümeyye Ceylan, Azerbaijan Women's Development and Future Public Union President Gulshan Akhundova, and Africa Tobacco Control Union Secretary General Leonce Sessou. At the event, Yeşilay Deputy Director Ceylan explained the negative effects of addictions on the environment.

"Yeşilay Has Superior Accumulated Experience in Fighting Addictions" 

Within the scope of COP29, Yeşilay Deputy Director General Sümeyye Ceylan, who participated in a meeting titled "Turkish Climate Initiative Forum: Union of Civil State Institutions for a Sustainable Future", stated that Turkey Yeşilay Society, founded in 1920, has superior accumulated experience in its field of work.

In her remarks, Ceylan said, "Turkey Yeşilay Society is a 104-year-old society founded in 1920 while a national struggle was underway. Therefore, it possesses superior accumulated experience in fighting addictions in its field of work. There are five types of addictions as defined and accepted by the World Health Organization. Chemical addictions include tobacco, alcohol, and drug addictions. Behavioral addictions, which have greatly increased in recent times, include internet and technology-related addictions and gambling addiction. Turkey Yeşilay Society provides services in many areas ranging from educational programs to inter-state advocacy, from rehabilitation activities to consulting services." 

Yeşilay Deputy Director General Sümeyye Ceylan emphasized a notable connection between the problems caused by climate change today and the addiction industry: "As you know, several of the leading institutions addressing climate issues are also linked to the addiction industry. For example, in the tobacco industry, very large-scale deforestation is taking place for tobacco production. The alcohol industry causes similar harm; there is serious water scarcity in the world linked to it. However, we live in a world where in the countries where the alcohol industry operates and has factories, water, which is our basic life necessity, is being wasted. In this sense, prevention work related to addictions conducted with children, youth, parents, the state, and civil society is of great importance. As Turkey Yeşilay Society, we have Yeşilay organizations in 97 countries. We are members of many sub-groups and commissions at the United Nations and have experience developed over many years."  

Stating that Yeşilay is ready to share all its programs and services with Turkish republics, particularly Azerbaijan, Ceylan summarized Yeşilay's work in fighting addictions with these words: "We have been implementing the Turkey Addiction Prevention Education Program for many years. This is a unique program in the world. Through our collaborations established with many ministries, we conduct addiction prevention work annually with over 10 million children and youth and over 3 million adults. We are willing to share these with our brother Turkish countries as well. We are open to all kinds of cooperation."  

At the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Yeşilay Director of International Cooperation Sedef Erçetin also made two presentations. Erçetin comprehensively shared Yeşilay's work with participants in meetings titled "Building Resilient Communities: The Intersection of Recovery from Addiction and Climate Action for Sustainable Health" and "Integrating Mental Health and Environmental Sustainability: The Role of NGOs in Combating Climate-Induced Stress and Addiction".