Georgia hosted the 10th Regional Dialogue of the Biodiversity Financing Initiative, a significant event for Asian, European, and Pacific Countries.
Representatives of the governments of 17 countries and about 70 biodiversity experts discussed protecting biodiversity, mobilizing resources for conservation, and developing national biodiversity strategies at the 10th regional meeting of the Biodiversity Financing Initiative of Asia, Europe, and the Pacific.
Solomon Pavliashvili, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture; Anna Chernishova, Deputy Permanent Representative of UNDP in Georgia; Onno van den Heuvel, Head of UNDP Biodiversity Financing Portfolio, and Giorgi Kvesitadze, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Georgia, opened the anniversary event.
The Deputy Minister focused on the steps taken by the Georgian Government towards conserving biodiversity and the importance of sharing countries’ experiences.
“Holding such a large-scale event in Georgia results from active involvement in our country’s conventions and close cooperation with partners.” The loss of biodiversity in the world is the biggest challenge. The goal of this dialogue is to find ways to protect and finance biodiversity, to share the experience of forest restoration and conservation, fulfill the obligations stipulated by the Vienna Convention, and utilize the state budget in this regard,” said Solomon Pavliashvili.
The Biodiversity Financial Initiative (BIOFIN) has been implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) since 2012, which aims to eliminate the deficit in biodiversity finance and effectively mobilize resources. The initiative is supported by 41 countries, including Georgia, which joined the BIOFIN Global Partnership in 2016.
According to the statement of Anna Chernishova, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Nations Development Program in Georgia, the Georgian Government has taken significant steps in terms of biodiversity protection.
“Globally, biodiversity is facing a great crisis; due to urbanization, various species of flora and fauna are disappearing.” Gathered together to discuss ways to preserve biodiversity. “It is emphasized that Georgia is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of biodiversity; 21% of the flora is endemic, more than 100 protected areas, which is the result of the great efforts of the Georgian government,” said Anna Chernishova.
It is worth noting that Georgia adopted the National Plan for Biodiversity Financing in 2019, after which, the annual budget of the Department of Biodiversity and Forestry has been increased four times; 17 innovative projects are underway, the goal of promoting sustainable biodiversity management and conservation.
UNDP-BIOFIN holds regional meetings annually to share world best practices and refine strategies, mechanisms, and methodologies. In 2024, 91 more countries will join the Biodiversity Financial Initiative.
