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National Water Policy Dialogue on Georgia’s Progress, Challenges, and Future Plans.
The National Policy Dialogue is a platform supporting the implementation of water policy reform and thus fulfilling the national goals and international commitments.
The First Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mrs. Nino Tandilashvili, delivered opening remarks at the event.
" Water resources management is particularly pertinent in light of current climate changes. Water is a significant resource for developing virtually all sectors of the economy. Accordingly, work on sectoral reform in water resources management is actively underway in Georgia.
Within the framework of the National Policy Dialogue, crucial steps were taken toward sustainable water resources management, eventually resulting in the adoption of the Law on Water Resources Management. The mentioned law is consistent with the national needs and challenges of Georgia and its commitments taken under international agreements, treaties, and association agendas. The main provisions of the mentioned law will come into force on September 1, 2026, ushering in the implementation of the river basin management mechanism in the country.
At the same time, we have enhanced the national water monitoring system, which assists us in ensuring the quantitative and qualitative state of water resources across the country. It is worth mentioning that the European Union, specifically the European Commission, has been a main supporter of the reform during its implementation, and I would like to express my gratitude to them. Today, when Georgia has been granted the status of a candidate for the European Union, we must continue our work with even greater efforts to fulfill all the preconditions /requirements for full membership in the European Union’’, Mrs. Nino Tandilashvili said.
Mr Nicholas Cendrowicz, the Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia, said: “As an EU candidate country, Georgia will need to take ownership of reforms in the water sector, building on last year’s Law on Water Resources Management. We trust that these reforms will be designed and implemented with strong involvement of all stakeholders, including Georgia’s international partners.”
Speaking on behalf of the EU program’s implementing partners, Mr Alexander Zinke, Environment Agency Austria, declared: “Like other countries of the European Union’s Eastern Partnership region, Georgia improves step by step its environment management. Overall, the adoption of the Water Law is a big milestone towards EU compliance. International partners will continue to support Georgia's efforts to approach EU standards.
In his remarks, Dr. Sabine Machl, UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia noted that the United Nations is ready to continue supporting Georgia in activities towards sustainable development, including reforming the water sector.
The parties of the National Water Policy Dialogue discussed the necessary measures for the adoption of the new Law of Georgia on Water Resources Management. The discussion focused on the alignment with water-related EU directives in the context of sectoral action and climate change.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia in cooperation with the “EU4Environment – Water Resources and Environmental Data” program, organized the National Water Policy Dialogue session.
Within the framework of the event, the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Mrs. Mzia Giorgobiani, and the Chair of the non-governmental organization "Georgian Green Movement/Friends of the Earth Georgia", Mrs. Nino Chkhobadze, participated in a high-level panel discussion along with the First Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mrs. Nino Tandilashvili. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe moderated the panel discussion.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia in cooperation with the “EU4Environment – Water Resources and Environmental Data” program, organized the 10th National Policy Dialogue on Water.
The Deputy Chair of the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, Mrs. Khatia Tsilosani, representatives of state agencies, non-governmental and international organizations, and other stakeholders attended the session.