ADB using Georgia’s experience with environmental policy to update vision

Georgia is among 10 countries where the Asian Development Bank is observing the implementation of its environmental Safeguard Policy with the aim of using the practical experience for updating the 2009-introduced document.

The Georgian Ministry of Infrastructure on Tuesday said an ADB delegation was visiting the country to learn about the country’s experiences before incorporating them in the updated Safeguard Policy Statement.

ADB officials at the meeting with the Minister of Infrastructure of Georgia. Photo: Ministry of Infrastructure

The delegation met the Georgian Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili and Infrastructure Minister Irakli Karseladze, with the infrastructure body saying the latter discussion had shared "interesting findings" from management of projects in Georgia with the visiting representatives of the Bank.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance cited Khutsishvili as telling Shane Rosenthal, the Regional Director of the ADB, Bruce Dunn, the Director of the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department Safeguards Division, and other representatives of the Bank the country’s authorities were ready for "active cooperation and convergence of positions".

The meeting at the Ministry of Finance. Photo: Ministry of Finance

Launched in 2009, the ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement addresses emerging environmental and social challenges of development in its developing member countries, including Georgia. 

The state body said the Statement covered assessment and management of environmental and social risks and impacts, labour and working conditions, pollution prevention and resource efficiency, health and safety, biodiversity and sustainable management of natural resources, cultural heritage and others.