Georgia Marks an International Day for Biological Diversity with a Special Event

On the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity, an event was held at the initiative of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, with support from the Environmental Information and Education Centre and the international biodiversity partnership, NBSAP Accelerator Partnership.

The event aimed to showcase the state’s efforts in biodiversity conservation and promote greater public engagement in environmental protection processes.

The event brought together sector specialists, young people, and representatives of environmental organisations. Participants received information about the measures undertaken by Georgia in biodiversity conservation, including species restoration initiatives, the policy of expanding protected areas, and international cooperation in environmental protection.

As part of the event, the winners of the photo contest “Georgia’s Biodiversity Through My Lens” were awarded. The winners received special prizes from Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr Zurab Ezugbaia.

“This is a valuable opportunity for the Ministry to present its work to the society engaged and interested in this field. Through our joint efforts, we can achieve the key objective of preserving Georgia’s biodiversity. Today’s message is directly linked to this goal — from local action to global impact. It is important for Georgia to make a valuable contribution to the protection and preservation of the world’s natural heritage,” stated Mr Zurab Ezugbaia.

As part of the photo contest, the jury selected 18 winning photographs.

“The photo contest dedicated to the International Day for Biological Diversity received significant interest and engagement. As a result of the competition, 18 winning photographs were selected, each showcasing Georgia’s unique nature and biodiversity in the best possible way,” stated Director of the Environmental Information and Education Centre, Mrs Tamta Devdariani.

The International Day for Biological Diversity is observed annually on 22 May by decision of the United Nations General Assembly. The purpose of the day is to raise public awareness about the importance of biodiversity, highlight the need to protect natural resources, and encourage active public participation in environmental processes.

The 2026 theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity is “Act Locally for Global Impact,” once again emphasising every individual's responsibility to protect the environment and preserve natural resources.