Georgia: Within the National Water Policy Dialogue framework, the progress achieved in managing water resources and plans was discussed. The First Deputy Minister of Environment and Agriculture, Nino Tandilashvili, opened the event.
National Policy Dialogue is a platform that promotes the implementation of water policy reform and, accordingly, the fulfilment of national goals and international commitments.
“Water resources management, in the light of current climate changes, is especially topical. Water is an essential resource for the development of virtually every sector of the economy. Therefore, work on sector reform in water resources management is underway in Georgia.
As part of the National Policy Dialogue, significant steps towards sustainable water management were taken, ending with the adoption of the “Water Resources Management” law.
This law is entirely in line with national needs and challenges, as well as with the obligations Georgia has made with international agreements, agreements, and associations’ agendas. The central part of this law will come into force on September 1, 2026, which will result in implementing a river basin management mechanism in the country.
In addition, Nino Tandilashvili said, we’ve strengthened the National Water Monitoring System to help us provide an assessment of the quantitative and qualitative status of water resources nationwide. In implementing the reform, our important supporter is the European Union, the European Commission, for which I would like to express my special thanks. Today, since Georgia was granted EU candidate status, we have had to continue to work even harder to fulfil all the conditions necessary for full membership of the European Union.
At the meeting, the head of the Department of Development and Cooperation of the European Union, Representation in Georgia, Nikolas Senderovich, noted that Georgia, as an EU candidate country, should implement reforms in the water sector based on the law adopted last year.
“We believe that these reforms will be implemented successfully with the active involvement and support of all the stakeholders, including Georgia’s international partners,” Nikolas Senderovich said.
Speaking on behalf of the Implementing Partners of the European Union Program, the consortium of EU member countries project leader and the Austrian Environmental Agency representative, Alexander Zinke, noted that Georgia is improving its environmental management. In addition, adopting a water law is a step towards compliance with EU requirements. International partners will continue to support Georgia’s efforts to approach EU standards.
In a speech, the United Nations Permanent Coordinator in Georgia, Sabin Makhl, said the United Nations is ready to continue supporting Georgia in sustainable development activities, including water sector reform.
Participants of the National Water Policy Dialogue discussed the necessary measures to implement Georgia’s new water resource management law. The meeting focused on implementing various water-related directives and sectors posed by climate change.
The Georgian Ministry of Environment and Agriculture organized a national water policy dialogue session and the “European Union for Environment” program. The event was attended by representatives of the Georgian Parliament, state agencies, non-governmental and international organizations and other interested parties.
