Istanbul, October 17, 2025 – FabLab Bosnia and Herzegovina, a leading innovation center for digital fabrication and sustainable technology, proudly announces its official partnership with the International Zero Waste Forum and the Zero Waste Foundation held in Istanbul, Turkey (October 17-19, 2025). As the sole official partner representing Bosnia and Herzegovina among 108 nations and 118 organizations, FabLab B&H stands alongside global leaders, UN representatives, and policymakers committed to advancing zero-waste strategies.
The International Zero Waste Forum, hosted by Türkiye’s Zero Waste Foundation in partnership with UN-Habitat, the UN Environment Programme, and national ministries, will culminate in the Istanbul Declaration. This declaration, aimed at countries and ministers, calls for systemic change in consumption, production, and urban governance. It highlights resource efficiency, circular economy principles, and behavioral shifts to combat pollution and climate change—principles that align seamlessly with FabLab B&H’s mission to drive human-centered innovation for environmental protection.
Edin Škaljić, Founder and Director of FabLab, signed the partnership agreement on behalf of the organization during a high-level session at the Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center. “This invitation from the Zero Waste Foundation, based on our track record, validates the grassroots innovations we’ve nurtured” said Škaljić.
“From repurposing local waste into 3D-printable materials to empowering youth through green tech education, our bottom-up innovations have always prioritized resource conservation. The Zero Waste Foundation’s invitation recognizes that DNA, and we’re excited to contribute to a global roadmap that feeds into the 2026 UN Zero Waste Report.”
FabLab participation underscores Bosnia and Herzegovina’s role in international sustainability dialogues, showcasing its expertise in additive manufacturing, robotics, and AI-driven solutions for circular challenges like microplastics filtration, biowaste valorization, and durable textile innovations. The center’s projects, including student-led prototypes from waste and cross-border initiatives turning agricultural residues into nutraceuticals, demonstrate practical impact in reducing landfills and fostering green entrepreneurship.
The forum, themed “Zero Waste in Action: People. Places. Progress.” united governments, cities, academia, and industries to share best practices and forge alliances.
“This isn’t just a signature, it’s a commitment to amplify our rooted efforts for broader, human-centered progress,” added Škaljić. “The choices we make now about waste and consumption will echo for generations, and FabLab s ready to contribute to that change in BiH and beyond.”