News
New EU Project Launched to Support Environmental Sector
The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture and the European Union launched a new project aimed at raising support to the environmental sector in Georgia. The project is called "Support for implementation of environmental commitments to the Association Agreement between Georgia and the European Union" (EU-Georgia Association Agreement).
At the launch of the project, Khatia Tsilosani, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, underlined the importance of the EU project ‘’Support to implementation of the Environmental provisions of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement” and expressed appreciation to the representatives of the EU for providing support to the Ministry in the implementation of environmental commitments taken under the Association Agreement.
Vincent Rey, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia said: “The EU is stepping up its support to the environmental sector. This new project will help to better protect Georgian nature, decrease pollution and improve the quality of the air. It aims to promote a better Georgia more protective of its environment and of the health of its citizens”.
About the project
The main focus of the project is to bring support in the implementation process of Georgia's environmental commitments under the EU-Georgia Association Agreement.
The project is composed of 5 key components that include the following activities:
• Developing National Strategy for Marine Environment and Action Program
• Preparing draft bylaws for environmental liability law
• Capacity Building for implementation of the Directives on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and implementation of the provisions related to air quality under the Association Agreement
• Development of the Emerald Network and Introduction of indicators for national biodiversity monitoring system (NBMS)
• Fulfilment of other obligations under the Association Agreement with the EU
The environmental policy, plans and reforms implemented by Georgian Government, as well as measures undertaken by the Ministry was brought forward by the Deputy Minister at the meeting.
Khatia Tsilosani underlined the importance of the EU project ‘’Support to implementation of the Environmental provisions of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement” and expressed application to the representatives of the EU and International Organizations for providing support to the Ministry in the implementation of environmental commitments taken under the Association Agreement.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture organized the event in cooperation with the EU Delegation in Georgia and Parliamentary Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure, National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, LEPL Technical and Construction Supervision Agency (TCSA) of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.
The representatives of UNDP, German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (REC Caucasus), the Greens Movement / Friends of the Earth - Georgia, Nacres - Biodiversity Conservation and Research Center the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Foundation "Caucasus Environment", owners of petrol stations and business association attended the event.