In a world where the importance of sustainability is increasingly recognized and embraced, the strategic role of glass for a healthy future becomes ever more prominent. The year 2022 was declared the “International Year of Glass” by the United Nations (UN) with the contributions of Şişecam. This remarkable material has been one of the greatest solution partners of humanity, from past to present and future. The opening ceremony of the International Year of Glass 2022 was held at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland, from February 9 to 11.
Şişecam Chairman, Dr. Ahmet Kırman, delivered a closing speech at the event and stated, “Here today, we are lighting the first torch of the Year of Glass to further raise global awareness on glass. As we all know, glass adds significant value to human life. Glass promises to be one of the most strategic materials of the future with its sustainability-oriented features. There is no doubt that glass, already indispensable in its traditional uses, will be the main component of many different and new applications in the future thanks to its unique transparency, formability, hardness, low cost, widespread availability and sustainability features.
“As key stakeholders of the glass industry, we are responsible for extending the incomparable contributions of glass to every field it can enter and expanding its area of benefit. Targeting recovery in every area where glass is used is a crucial opportunity for our planet in the fight against climate change. Şişecam’s 2030 Sustainability Strategy ‘CareforNext’ responds to the evolving challenges and needs of societies and our planet and is based on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. With this approach, Şişecam carries the glass legacy forward, by focusing on ‘Protect the Planet,’ ‘Empower Societies’ and ‘Transform Life’ pillars.
“Şişecam is boldly taking responsibility and moving forward to protect, empower and transform its ecosystem. This understanding and sense of responsibility underlie Şişecam’s committed efforts for the declaration of 2022 as the International Year of Glass by the UN. Şişecam has supported the UN International Year of Glass 2022 target from the very beginning. We maintained steady support for this important designation with all our stakeholders. Şişecam plans to work on further boosting the global focus on glass throughout the year.”