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: "Along with other European member states, we signed a declaration committed to enhancing forest management and implementing sustainable forest management principles".

The First Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mrs. Nino Tandilashvili, participated in the 9th FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference in Bonn, where parties signed two significant documents: the Bonn Ministerial Declaration and the Bonn Decision.

By signing the stated agreements, the parties to the "European Forests" ministerial declare their commitment to establish a sustainable forest management system at the national and international levels.

"Along with other European member states, we signed a declaration committed to enhancing forest management and putting sustainable forest management principles into practice. The ministerial meeting recognized the positive progress of Georgia's recent forest sector reforms, which, alongside the adoption of the Forest Code, include several measures aimed at enhancing the protection, conservation, and sustainable use of Georgia's forests.

During the Ministerial Conference, we highlighted our progress in the European integration process, with forestry reforms marking a significant step forward on this path. We reaffirmed that, as a candidate country for EU membership, Georgia will continue to actively collaborate with international partners to implement EU environmental standards, including those related to the forestry sector", said Nino Tandilashvili.

"In the declaration and decision documents signed at the ministerial level, critical issues such as the impacts of climate change, the diversification of forest resources, the mobilization of financial resources, the promotion of forestry education, and the development of the sector are emphasized. The documents also highlight the importance of raising public awareness, fostering a deeper sense of responsibility, maintaining close communication with local communities, and intensively informing stakeholders about ongoing forestry activities and processes.

European Forests is a high-level political process for sustainable forest management, established in 1990. Representatives from its 46 member countries and relevant EU agencies collaborate to develop common visions and strategies to ensure forest protection and sustainable management across their territories.
Georgia joined the 'European Forests' process in 2003. Ministerial meetings are held every 4 to 5 years. This year, the Federal Republic of Germany is the chair, with Sweden set to preside over the next Ministerial.