News
David Songulashvili: “Environmental standards will fully align with the requirements outlined in the Association Agreement between Georgia and the European Union.”
At the joint session of the Finance and Budget, Sectoral Economy and Economic Policy, Agrarian Issues, Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, and Regional Policy and Self-Government Committees, David Songulashvili, the candidate for Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, emphasized the importance of protecting the country’s natural resources, promoting sustainable development, and ensuring environmental sustainability.
“We are committed to protecting the country’s natural resources, fostering sustainable development, and enhancing environmental sustainability, all of which should contribute to the nation’s overall progress and the improvement of our living environment. Environmental standards will fully align with the requirements outlined in the Association Agreement between Georgia and the European Union,” said David Songulashvili.
The ministerial candidate also highlighted plans to ensure the safety of settlements and infrastructure at risk from natural disasters by improving early warning systems. Additionally, reforms will be carried out in water resource management, transitioning to the European river basin management model. Efforts to enhance water and air quality monitoring will continue, and new industrial pollution standards will take effect in 2026, introducing stricter requirements to improve air quality. Environmental impact assessment procedures will also be streamlined, and environmental permits will be issued through a “one-stop shop” system.
David Songulashvili also underscored the importance of preserving biodiversity and expanding protected areas.
“To preserve biodiversity and promote sustainable development, special emphasis will be placed on the expansion and development of protected areas, including in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti, as well as Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti. By 2028, the total area of protected lands will increase by an additional 100,000 hectares. As for forest restoration, by 2030, restoration efforts will be carried out on 20,000 hectares,” he noted.