Japan contributes $920,000 to UNDP for Georgian forest protection
Protecting forest covers from degradation and unsustainable lodging, and increasing their capacity to capture greenhouse gas emissions are among the goals of the programme. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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Japan has allocated over $920,000 to the United Nations Development Programme in Georgia for supporting the country’s “sustainable and climate-friendly” forest management, the UNDP’s Georgian office announced on Thursday.
Protecting forest covers from degradation and unsustainable lodging, and increasing their capacity to capture greenhouse gas emissions are among the goals of the programme.
The office will additionally carry out a pilot initiative in the eastern region of Mtskheta-Mtianeti to engage local communities in sustainable forest management, create “easy access” to renewable energy sources, and assist 43,000 people to explore “environment-friendly solutions” boosting employment and creating sustainable livelihoods, the organisation revealed.
Imamura Akira, the Japanese Ambassador to Georgia, said “the unique and rich forests of Georgia are vital, for environmental disaster prevention, apart from the economic development.”
Georgia’s Deputy Agriculture Minister, Nino Tandilashvili, said the Government’s priority was to introduce tools and mechanisms blending environmental protection with economic benefits, and noted the state had made an “ambitious pledge” to the Paris Climate Agreement, emphasising the new initiative contributed to the fulfilment of the international obligations.
Georgia signed up to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 35 percent below the 1990 baseline level by 2030 in its revision of Nationally Determined Contributions. Additionally, the country has pledged to reach a 10 percent increase in forest carbon capture capacity by 2030 from 2015 levels in its National Climate Change Strategy 2030 and Action Plan 2021-2023.
Improving productivity and competitiveness of agricultural farms in Georgia, and providing assistance to micro-, small-, and medium-sized agriculture and food production enterprises is the subject of an agreement signed between Otar Shamugia, the Georgian Agriculture Minister, and Raimund Jehle, the Representative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on Friday.
Environmental reforms in Georgia, projects implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the country and future cooperation avenues were discussed by Otar Shamugia, the Georgian Agriculture Minister, and Nick Beresford, the UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia, on Tuesday.
Representatives of the European Union and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation visited the Dmanisi Cattle Breeding Station in southeastern Georgia to observe the facility that received a grant of 462,000 GEL ($15,049/€13,848) to upgrade its machinery and equipment, EU in Georgia said on Friday.
Water metering challenges in Georgia and the identification of the needs within the European Union programme EU4Environment – Water Resources and Environmental Data were discussed during a meeting between the Agriculture Ministry, parties involved in the programme and experts on Thursday.
Japan welcomes Georgia's efforts and response to the Russia-Ukraine war, Imamura Akira, the Japanese Ambassador to Georgia, said on Wednesday at a Tbilisi ceremony dedicated to the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Bilateral trade relations between Georgia and Japan and the two countries’ cooperation in the fields of energy, telecommunications, transport and more were discussed by the Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili and Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Honda Taro on Wednesday.
Georgian authorities identified 188 cases of illegal logging and timber transportation in April of this year across the country, 14 of which contained elements of criminal offences, the Environmental Supervision Department announced on Friday.
Georgian authorities have identified 204 cases of illegal logging, timber transportation and violation of technical regulations at illegal sawmills across the country throughout July, the Environmental Supervision Department announced on Thursday.