David Songulashvili Meets UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen

UNEP Executive Director, Mrs. Inger Andersen, expressed her appreciation to Mr. David Songulashvili, highlighting Georgia’s leadership in environmental reforms across the region. She placed particular emphasis on Georgia’s decision to ban and regulate the import of single-use plastics, describing it as a highly significant step for safeguarding both public health and the country’s biodiversity.

During the meeting, the parties discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation between Georgia and UNEP, Georgia’s engagement in global processes, and the progress of the country’s ongoing environmental reforms.

Mr. Songulashvili expressed gratitude to UNEP for its support and reaffirmed Georgia’s readiness to further strengthen its engagement within the UNEA framework. He highlighted that Georgia’s First Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mrs. Nino Tandilashvili, represents the Eastern European Group in the UNEA-7 Bureau, and her candidacy has been submitted for UNEA-8.


The discussion also touched upon Georgia’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030 and by 47% by 2035. Additional topics included improving air quality, expanding protected areas, developing the National Adaptation Plan, strengthening regulations to prevent industrial air pollution, advancing circular economy initiatives, and addressing plastic pollution, alongside broader public health considerations.

Minister Songulashvili briefed Andersen on Georgia’s newly adopted regulations on banning single-use plastics, which enter into force on January 1, 2026. Both parties emphasized the crucial importance of UNEP’s technical assistance in the process of reforming plastic waste management.

In conclusion, Mr. Songulashvili underlined Georgia’s readiness to continue a strong and practical partnership with UNEP to advance environmental progress and sustainable development.

The First Deputy Minister, Mrs. Nino Tandilashvili, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Mr. Gia Macharadze, also attended the meeting.