Georgia hosting Regional Dialogue on Biodiversity Finance with experts, gov’t officials

The historical estate of Tsinandali in Georgia's winemaking Kakheti province is hosting the 10th Regional Dialogue on Biodiversity Finance for countries in Asia, Europe and the Pacific with over 70 biodiversity finance experts and government officials from 17 countries.

Running between Monday and Wednesday, the event aims to discuss implementation of biodiversity finance plans and explore opportunities for financing solutions.

In his welcome speech, Solomon Pavliashvili, the Georgian Deputy Environment Minister, emphasised steps taken by the Government in biodiversity conservation. He highlighted the challenge of global biodiversity loss and the goal of the dialogue to find ways of its protection.

Holding such a large-scale event in Georgia is a result of active involvement in our country’s conventions and close cooperation with partners. Global biodiversity loss is a major challenge. The aim of this dialogue is to work together to find ways to protect and finance biodiversity”, Pavliashvili said.

Anna Chernyshova, the Deputy Resident Representative at the United Nations Development Programme in Georgia, highlighted the global crisis facing biodiversity and the “important steps” made by the Government in biodiversity protection.

Georgia is among the most biologically diverse countries in the world, with 21 percent of its plant species found nowhere else and over 100 protected areas - a testament to the significant efforts of the Government”, she said.

Implemented by the UNDP since 2012, the Biodiversity Finance Initiative aims to address the deficit in biodiversity finance and mobilise resources effectively. The initiative is supported by 41 countries, including Georgia, which joined the global partnership in 2016. This year, an additional 91 countries will join it.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection said Georgia adopted the National Biodiversity Financing Plan in 2019, resulting in a four-fold increase in the annual budget of the Department of Biodiversity and Forestry. The body said 17 innovative projects were underway to promote sustainable management and conservation of biodiversity.