Georgia “rare country” with environmental protection as “fundamental constitutional right” - PM

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Thursday said Georgia was “one of the rare countries” that guaranteed access to protected environment as a “fundamental right” in its Constitution.

He told the Georgian Public Broadcaster  the Government had a “specific policy in place to support the realisation of these rights”.

The Prime Minister recalled “severe” natural disasters across the country over the recent years, attributing these events to climate change and global ecological shifts.

Our country’s mountainous terrain amplifies these challenges. We have a shared responsibility to safeguard our environment and mitigate negative changes”, he said.

Kobakhidze also detailed the Government’s commitment to addressing climate change through “short-term, medium-term, and long-term initiatives” during the interview. He noted the Government adhered to “various” international agreements aimed at fostering environmental sustainability.

The Prime Minister said he had the opportunity to discuss issues concerning Georgia with leaders during the ongoing 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.

This format allows for discussions with numerous leaders in various settings about matters pertinent to our country, and we took full advantage of this opportunity. I had an exceptional, very friendly, and productive meeting with [the Azerbaijani President] Ilham Aliyev, and I also had a chance to engage in conversations with many other leaders. This conference was important for these reasons as well”, he said.

Kobakhidze noted climate change posed “one of the most significant challenges facing the entire world, including Georgia”, and described the Conference as “both significant and interesting from a political perspective”.