DEEP Project 5th Project Steering Committee Meeting was held on 22 November 2023 in Ankara at the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation, and Climate Change building under the chairmanship of Mr. Sebahattin Dökmeci, Deputy Director General of Environmental Management, with the participation of the Contracting Authority and representatives of relevant ministries and institutions.

During the meeting, which was held hybrid through online connection and physical participation, ongoing and future activities within Component 1 (Discovering the Potential of Türkiye in the Scope of EU Circular Economy Model), Component 2 (Developing a Comprehensive National Strategy for Overall Implementation of EU Circular Economy Strategy), and Component 3 (Improving Management Capacity of National and Local Authorities in Terms of Integrated Waste Management) were presented.

Mr. Sebahattin Dökmeci, Deputy Director General of Environmental Management, requested that efforts be continued throughout the project to proceed with robust data.

Mr. Mihail Dimovski, Project Team Leader, stated that throughout the project, they paid attention to building bridges between local and EU experts. "This project will be a turning point for the Turkish economy," said Mr. Dimovski.

Ms. Sabriye Ayhan, who was recently appointed as the Head of the Circular Economy and Waste Management Department, said that they attach great importance to the project and that the sectors have great expectations. Ms. Ayhan emphasised the importance of cooperation between ministries and institutions in ensuring data flow and said, "From now on, to open up to the European market, transition to circular economy starting from raw materials will be mandatory."

The meeting ended with the completion of the question and answer session in which the representatives of the institutions took the floor and showed great interest.