Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia

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Otar Shamugia met with the Director General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Qu Dongyu in Rome

"Georgia is the homeland of wine and has a high potential for developing and cultivating various agricultural crop cultures, which can take a worthy place in the global markets", said the Director General of FAO, Mr. Qu Dongyu during the meeting with the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Mr. Otar Shamugia at the headquarter of the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in Rome.

"We appreciate the successful cooperation between FAO and the Government of Georgia, on behalf of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, we once again express our gratitude to FAO, for its continuous support to the Government of Georgia in the process of achieving sustainable development goals. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is one of the remarkable partners of our Ministry. We are implementing a number of important projects with the support of FAO. I believe, that we will have effective cooperation in the future as well", said Mr. Otar Shamugia.

Mr. Shamugia spoke extensively about the ongoing and planned agricultural projects in Georgia. The Minister briefed the General Director on the main goals of the Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy of Georgia 2021 – 2027 and stated that the development of the agricultural sector is a priority for Georgia, for which important steps have already been taken. As a result, local production, as well as export of Georgian products have been increased, and the diversification of markets is continued. However, access to modern knowledge and new technologies remains a challenge for the country.

The importance of introducing European standards and regulations in the agricultural sector of Georgia as well as submitting an application for EU membership was emphasized by the Minister, who also mentioned, that the programs and technical support of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization help the country in achieving the respective goal.

Director General of FAO, Mr. Qu Dongyu thanked the Minister for the successful cooperation and noted that submitting an application for EU membership is an opportunity for Georgia to strengthen and transform the agro-food sector across the country.

Mr. Dongyu emphasized the important steps taken toward the development of the agriculture sector in Georgia, also the country’s significant potential that needs to be used rationally. He stated, that FAO will actively continue cooperation with the Georgian side in the future as well.

The meeting with the Director General of the Agricultural Development Organization was held during the 50th Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), which was attended by Ministers and high-ranking delegates from 130 countries.



The Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Mrs. Nino Tandilashvili and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Italy and Permanent Representative of Georgia to UN International Organizations in Rome Mr. Konstantine Surguladze attended the meeting.