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Nino Tandilashvili speaks on behalf of Georgia at the International Conference “Stockholm +50” in Sweden.
The Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Mrs. Nino Tandilashvili spoke on behalf of Georgia at the international conference “ Stockholm+50: A Healthy Planet for the Prosperity of All –Our Responsibility, Our Opportunity ". In her speech, the Deputy addressed to environmental challenges facing the country, and brought forward future priorities, while taking note of the progress made in the environmental protection field.
The conference commemorated 50 years since the 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment, which made the environment a pressing global issue for the first time.
Mr. John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Change, the Prime Minister of Sweden and other high-rank officials attended the high-level conference, which was opened by his Majesty Carl XVI Gustav, King of Sweden.
During the conference, a high-level opening session and three ‘Leaders’ dialogues were held, where critical issues included, achieving a healthy planet and prosperity for all, sustainable and inclusive recovery in the post-Covid-19 period and accelerating the implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development has been discussed by high-rank officials.
At the opening session, Mrs. Tandilashvili stated, that improving environmental governance, protecting biodiversity, fulfilling international commitments to climate change, as well as, preventing waste pollution, expanding protected areas and sustainable use and management of water resources are top priorities of the Government of Georgia. The Government of Georgia consistently strives to fulfil its international obligations in the environmental protection and climate change fields.
Moreover, the Deputy Minister noted, that Georgia has already taken important steps to fulfil its responsibilities under the EU-Georgia Association Agreement. Nevertheless, improving air quality, water resources management, sustainable forest management, biodiversity protection and expansion of protected areas will remain priorities for the Government of Georgia in the coming years as well.
“Georgia has taken a historic step by applying for the EU membership. We expect that the EU can make a positive decision regarding Georgia’s accession to the EU. At the same time, we understand what a responsibility this will be for our country. Thus, we are ready to continue working even more intensively to strengthen environmental democracy and environmental governance and the transition to a green economy,” – said Mrs. Nino Tandilashvili.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Kingdom of Sweden and the Republic of Finland Irakli Khutsurauli attended the international conference together with the Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia.
The conference aimed to maximize public involvement, taking into consideration all participants’ visions and opinions. It should be mentioned, that the National consultations were held in 58 countries, embracing representatives of the state agencies, private sector and non-governmental organizations, civil activists, educational circles, community and youth organizations a few months before the Stockholm meeting.
Three National Consultation Meetings were held by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Georgia through the financial support of the Swedish Government. The meetings were conducted in Tbilisi, Batumi and Telavi cities, where participants had the opportunity to express their views and opinions on how to achieve the planetary well-being, and prosperity of all humans and the environment. The UNDP prepared a "Stockholm + 50 National Consultation Report" in Georgia in compliance with the National Consultations.