Within the framework of the CENN project, Sustainable Forest Management for Rural Development, with the financial support of the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC), the Georgian delegation went on a working visit to Austria.
Within the framework of the official visit to Austria, the Georgian delegation held a meeting with Mrs. Maria Patek, Deputy Federal Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions, and Water Management of Austria. The parties discussed the Austrian business model for forest management, integrated disaster risk management, and climate change-related issues.
As noted by the Deputy Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture, Kakha Kakabadze, the establishment of a sustainable forest management system is, first of all, important for the economic development of the country and the growth of social well-being. However, taking into account the specifics of the country, this is a necessary condition for responding to environmental challenges, including climate change adaptation and mitigation.
“The main task is to manage the forests in the country taking into account the principles of sustainable forest management and national interests. In this process, Austria is one of the important partners of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia. Since 2012, the Ministry has had close and continuous cooperation with the Austrian Development Agency (ADC), for which support for the development of Georgian agriculture and forestry has become a priority direction. With the financing of the mentioned agency, a number of projects have been implemented and are planned for the future,” – stated the Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Kakha Kakabadze.
During the meeting, Mrs. Maria Patek focused on bilateral cooperation in the agricultural development and environmental protection fields. “The sustainable use of forests is crucial to mitigate climate change and protect biodiversity. Georgia is one of our important partners in this regard,” said Mrs. Maria Patek, Deputy Federal Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management of Austria.
Mrs. Maia Bitadze, Chair of the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee, of the Parliament of Georgia, Mrs. Khatia Tsilosani, the Deputy Chairperson, as well as representatives of the Emergency Management Service and the National Security Council attended the meeting.
Within the framework of the official visit to Austria, the members of the Georgian delegation met representatives of the Austrian University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), the Federal Research and Training Centre for Forests, Natural Hazards and Landscape (BFW), the Natural Disasters Research Institute and the Geopark Karawanken.