The 12th of the Monthly Operations Coordination Unit (OCU) Meetings, which play a critical role in the successful implementation and management of the DEEP Project and ensure stakeholder cooperation, was held on 5 September 2023 with the participation of representatives from the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey, Contracting Authority, End Recipient, Consortium Representatives, and OCU Members.

The meeting has been chaired by Ms. Sadiye Bilgiç Karabulut, Head of Circular Economy and Waste Management Department, in a hybrid format and hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. Ms. Nurnisa Elçin on behalf of the Contracting Authority and Ms. Özge Gökçe Aktaş on behalf of the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye took active participation to the meeting and followed the progress of the project.

The highlights of the meeting are below:

• Mr. Mihail Dimovski, Team Leader of DEEP Project, gave an overview of the progress of the Project.
• The activities carried out since the 11th OCU meeting were evaluated.
• "Circular Economy Conference," "Second Study Visit," "Circular Economy Network Analysis," "Update on the Preparation of the National Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan," "Update on the EU Plastics Strategy Assessment Report," "Update on the Regulatory Impact Assessment of Single Use Plastics Directive," "Life Cycle of Single Use Plastics of Single Use Plastics," "Update on Single Use Plastics and Marine Litter Roadmap," "Life Cycle Assessment Training," "Update on the Preparation of the Assessment of the Existing Waste Management System" activities were discussed.
• A general evaluation of communication and social media activities was made.
• Logistical details of the second study visit were discussed.

A general evaluation of communication and social media activities was made.