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

print

share

The Ministry and the Church have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in the forest management and biodiversity areas.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and the Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Georgia signed a memorandum on cooperation in forest management and biodiversity areas. 

The  Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Otar Shamugia, and the Metropolitan of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, incumbent of the patriarchal throne, Shio Mujiri, signed the Memorandum of Cooperation.

Following the legislation of Georgia, the MoU envisions collaboration in forest conservation/management near churches and monasteries.

A  joint commission will be created to ensure close collaboration in developing and establishing a sustainable management system for forests and biodiversity within the scope of the legislation of Georgia.

The Metropolitan of Senaki and Chkhorotsku described the signing of the Memorandum as a historical event, noting that both the Memorandum and the joint commission will deepen and make the bilateral cooperation even more fruitful.

"The Memorandum envisages cooperation in forest management and biodiversity-related issues. The Church of Georgia has significantly contributed to the preservation/ care, and protection of forests, especially those adjacent to churches and monasteries. Our partnership will significantly contribute to this process, and our services, the Forestry Agency, and the Agency of Protected Areas are actively working to ensure that the goals stipulated by the Memorandum, implying the establishment of a sustainable forest management system, are ensured.

As we know, one of our main goals is the sustainable management of the country's forests; in this respect, an important step has been taken towards adopting the new Forest Code, according to which we are carrying out a successful reform", said Mr. Otar Shamugia.

"Today's document has a deep content.  We are starting the most exciting phase of cooperation, which will surely bring results not only in preserving the flora and fauna of our country but also in creating the best conditions for it", said Metropolitan, Andria (Gvazava) of Gori and Athens.

The Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Kakha Kakabadze, the representatives of the Georgian Orthodox Church, as well as the National Forestry and Protected Areas Agencies, the Environmental Education and Information Center, and relevant structures of the Ministry attended the Memorandum signing ceremony.