David Songulashvili delivered remarks in Nairobi at a high-level panel discussion, following a joint invitation from Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, and Magnus Heunicke, Denmark’s Minister for the Environment, representing the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

In the capital of the Republic of Kenya, Nairobi, as part of the Seventh Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), a Ministerial panel discussion was held on the topic: “Time is Running Out for a Global  Treaty to End Plastic Pollution’’
 

The discussion, convened by the decision of the EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Mrs. Jessika Roswall, and Denmark’s Environment Minister, Mr. Magnus Heunicke, brought together the Environmental Ministers of Kenya, Georgia, the People’s Republic of China, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Federative Republic of Brazil. 

Mr. David Songulashvili emphasized the urgent global need for an ambitious and practical international treaty to address plastic pollution in his address.

According to the Minister, Georgia, as an EU candidate country, is ready to align its national environmental standards with European requirements. He emphasized the importance of peace and a stable political environment for the development of effective and sustainable environmental policies. Despite regional security challenges, Georgia remains firmly committed to a course of peace and stability, thereby strengthening its role as a strategic transit corridor between Europe and Asia.

“The reforms undertaken by the Government of Georgia lay a solid foundation for strengthening the country’s economic role and further expanding its international cooperation. The primary priority of the Government of Georgia is the reform of the national environmental system to ensure a healthier environment for its citizens and to fully meet international obligations,” stated Mr. David Songulashvili.

The Minister also discussed new regulations adopted by Georgia, under which, starting from January 2026, the import, production, and sale of selected single-use plastic products and expanded polystyrene (EPS) food containers will be prohibited. He noted that this step is part of a larger-scale reform aimed at reducing plastic pollution and advancing the development of a circular economy.


Minister Songulashvili reaffirmed that Georgia stands ready to engage actively in negotiations to ensure that the global plastics treaty is effective, fair, and results-oriented.

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