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

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The First Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Nino Tandilashvili, attended the Presentation of the National Forest Inventory Program Report.

It should be mentioned, that the first national forest inventory program was implemented with the support of the German Government and the technical assistance of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ).

The National forest inventory fieldwork was conducted across the country in 2019 - 2021, and the data obtained as a result of the fieldwork was processed and the corresponding report and recommendations were prepared in 2022-2023.
All mentioned above provide an opportunity for creating a forest monitoring system, conducting scientific research, developing evidence-based policies, and strengthening research institutions.

Mrs. Nino Tandilashvili thanked the German side for their assistance, stating that for the first time in Georgia, a national forest registration and inventory was conducted, resulting in more accurate data and information about the state of Georgia's forests.

"Both international and Georgian experts were involved in the national forest registration process. The forests of Georgia, which cover more than 40% of the country's territory, need attention and maintenance, especially in light of climate change. It is crucial to mention that the reform, which we started with the adoption of the Forest Code of Georgia, should continue successfully, forest farms should be created across the country,   sustainable practices of forest resource production should be adopted, and special attention should be paid to forest maintenance and restoration measures. All mentioned above ensure that we preserve the unique resource called the forests of Georgia", said Mrs. Nino Tandilashvili.

 

It should be mentioned that the presentation of the report on the results of the national forest inventory was held within the framework of the "ECO Georgia" project -supporting the implementation of the forest sector reform in Georgia, which is co-financed by the Green Climate Fund and the governments of Germany, Switzerland, and Georgia and is being implemented by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development and the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ).


"The national forest inventory results showed us that the forests of Georgia are rich in biodiversity, tree species, and natural forest types. At the same time, we saw that Georgia needs some time to restore the stock of wood resources, preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services, which will ensure the conservation of forests and help prevent natural disasters," stated Mr. Christian Gönner, the Head of the Sustainable Forest and Management component of the ''ECO. Georgia'' project.

According to the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany to Georgia, H.E. Ernst Peter Fischer, it is essential to work together so that the country can preserve nature, while still reaping economic benefits.