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Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Otar Shamugia hosted the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunya Mijatovic
In the course of the meeting, the Minister noted, that protection of human rights, entailing provision of healthy environmental conditions is a priority for the state. Mr. Otar Shamugia informed the Council of Europe Commissioner about important reforms and measures implemented in the environmental protection field.
" Since 2017, through efforts of the Ministry, the environmental impact assessment system has undergone significant positive changes, ensuring assessment of all activities and strategic documents , that may have an impact on human life and health.
"Improving environmental governance and environmental standards is one of the first preconditions for our citizens to have the right to live in a safe and healthy environment " the Minister said.
Mrs. Dunya Mijatovic stated, that protection of environment and human rights was considered as a matter of the highest priority during the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, she also positively assessed the activities undertaken by Georgia and results achieved in the respective area.
At the meeting, Minister Shamugia set focus on the "Environmental Assessment Code", which brought Georgia closer to the EU legislation. The legislation fully addresses the requirements of the Aarhus Convention, which provides maximum public participation in the environmental decision-making process.
It was noted, that Georgia is actively working to raise public awareness on environmental rights. The introduction of environmental education has started from the preschool age.
The Minister spoke about the environmental assessment portal, which serves the adoption of high standards of transparency in the country.
The conversation also touched upon the ambient air quality portal, through which the public gets information on the results of ambient air quality monitoring, as promptly as possible.
"It is very important, that a new mechanism on environmental liability has been introduced in the country, which is fully in line with the EU legislation and is based on the 'polluter pays principle'. We have also adopted a new Forest Code, which will help to protect the forest biodiversity of Georgia and will make a significant contribution to reducing the impact of climate change ”said Mr. Otar Shamugia.
" Since 2017, through efforts of the Ministry, the environmental impact assessment system has undergone significant positive changes, ensuring assessment of all activities and strategic documents , that may have an impact on human life and health.
"Improving environmental governance and environmental standards is one of the first preconditions for our citizens to have the right to live in a safe and healthy environment " the Minister said.
Mrs. Dunya Mijatovic stated, that protection of environment and human rights was considered as a matter of the highest priority during the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, she also positively assessed the activities undertaken by Georgia and results achieved in the respective area.
At the meeting, Minister Shamugia set focus on the "Environmental Assessment Code", which brought Georgia closer to the EU legislation. The legislation fully addresses the requirements of the Aarhus Convention, which provides maximum public participation in the environmental decision-making process.
It was noted, that Georgia is actively working to raise public awareness on environmental rights. The introduction of environmental education has started from the preschool age.
The Minister spoke about the environmental assessment portal, which serves the adoption of high standards of transparency in the country.
The conversation also touched upon the ambient air quality portal, through which the public gets information on the results of ambient air quality monitoring, as promptly as possible.
"It is very important, that a new mechanism on environmental liability has been introduced in the country, which is fully in line with the EU legislation and is based on the 'polluter pays principle'. We have also adopted a new Forest Code, which will help to protect the forest biodiversity of Georgia and will make a significant contribution to reducing the impact of climate change ”said Mr. Otar Shamugia.