News
Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, David Songulashvili, held a meeting with Rolande Pryce, the World Bank Regional Director for the South Caucasus, and environmental experts.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the summary report of the study "Reducing Plastic Pollution in the Black Sea of Georgia", conducted within the World Bank's "Blueing the Black Sea" (BBSEA) program.
According to Minister Songulashvili, significant efforts have been made in recent years to enhance environmental policy and ensure its effective implementation.
The report presented research findings across four key areas: diagnosis of the extent of marine plastic pollution; assessment of technologies for removing plastic waste from rivers; evaluation of state policies, investment priorities, and institutional capacities related to plastics; and assessment of microplastic pollution levels in the Black Sea.
The parties also discussed specific recommendations necessary to address the issue of plastic pollution.
The mentioned recommendations are fully aligned with the implementation of the “National Waste Management Strategy of Georgia 2016–2030” and the “Circularity Roadmap 2024.”
“The situation and overall picture caused by plastic pollution is quite serious. Immediate action is essential. In the near future, we will begin consultations with the private sector to jointly explore ways to restrict and significantly reduce plastic consumption. A working group will be established to develop an effective action plan aimed at mitigating—and ultimately eliminating—the problem in the shortest possible timeframe,” said Mr. David Songulashvili.
Mrs. Rolande Pryce expressed full support for the Minister, while emphasizing that the Government has clearly committed to managing Black Sea pollution, which is a commendable and welcome step.
“To assess the scale of the challenges and the problem, we worked jointly on an analytical document. There is strong cooperation between us and the Ministry,” said Mrs. Rolande Pryce.
It is worth mentioning that the World Bank's “Blueing the Black Sea” (BBSEA) program aims to support the creation of a shared regional framework for sustainable management of the Black Sea. The initiative focuses on strengthening the economy, reducing marine pollution, restoring ecosystems, promoting sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, creating ‘blue jobs’, and enhancing regional cooperation and capacity building.
The program is implemented in close collaboration with the Governments of Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Türkiye, and Ukraine, and with the active involvement of the Black Sea Commission (BSC), the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), the Common Maritime Agenda (CMA) for the Black Sea, and the European Commission (EC).
The Deputies of the Minister, Mr. Solomon Pavliashvili and Mr. Zurab Ezugbaia, also attended the meeting.