Georgia: The issue of environmental and economic alternatives to single-use plastics (EGP) was discussed by the participants of governmental, non-governmental and donor organizations at the working meeting.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Environment and Agriculture Solomon Pavliashvili, Deputy Ambassador of Norway Rebecca Lee and Permanent Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Georgia Douglas Ubi.
Solomon Pavliashvili thanked the Norwegian government for its support in waste management and noted that donor organizations’ involvement in implementing the National Waste Management Plan is particularly important.
“The Ministry has taken important steps towards reducing plastic waste, joining a highly ambitious coalition to end plastic waste pollution by 2040.” The biggest challenge in waste management is reducing plastic waste, which accounts for 15-16% of all waste. “For the country to become a full member of the European Union, we must continue green economic growth and follow the European green agreement,” Solomon Pavliashvili said.
The results of the study “Policy Summary: Single-use Plastics Market, Examples and Recommendations” were presented during the meeting. The document includes successful examples of the implementation of Eurodirectives, existing challenges, and general recommendations for policy-making structures.
“Plastic pollution is a global problem acute in both Georgia and Norway.” We see that many steps have been taken in this direction in Georgia; Georgia has joined the coalition of high ambition and developed a national plastic prevention program. It takes time, resources and energy to have a sustainable and green Georgia, so the more stakeholders we engage in this process, the longer-term and sustainable result we will have. “We will continue to support Georgia in reducing plastic pollution, which will contribute to environmental protection, human health, and economic well-being,” said Norwegian Deputy Ambassador Rebecca Lim.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Caucasus Regional Environmental Center (REC Caucasus) organized a working meeting with the support of the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture and the Norwegian Embassy.
