The National water policy Dialogue was held at the Republic of Georgia to discuss the progress achieved by the country. At the same time, national goals and international commitments were also discussed by the attendees.
The event was opened by the First Deputy Minister of Environment and Agriculture, Nino Tandilashvili. Speaking on the occasion, Nino Tandilashvili added, “Water resources management in the light of current climate changes is very important. Water is an important resource for the development of virtually every sector of the economy. Therefore work on sector reform in water resources management is actively underway in Georgia.
The minister also added that as part of the National Policy Dialogue significant steps were taken towards sustainable water management ending with the adoption of the “Water Resources Management” law. This law is fully in line with both national needs and challenges as well as with the obligations Georgia has made with international agencies and associations . The main part of this law will come into force on September 1, 2026, which will result in the implementation of a river basin management mechanism in the country.
Additionally, the minister stated we’ve strengthened the National Water Monitoring System to help us provide an assessment of the quantitative and qualitative status of water resources nationwide. It should be noted that in the process of implementing the reform our important supporter is the European Union, the European Commission, for which I would like to express my special thanks.
Today when Georgia was granted EU candidate status we have to continue to work even harder to fulfill 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 added.
Speaking on behalf of the Implementing Partners of the European Union Program, the project leader of the consortium of EU member countries, and the representative of the Austrian Environmental Agency Alexander Zinke noted that Georgia is improving environmental management.
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 law on water resources management. The meeting focused on the implementation of various water-related challenges posed by climate change.
National water policy dialogue session was organised by the Georgian Ministry of Environment and Agriculture and the program “European Union for Environment”.
The event was attended by representatives of the Georgian Parliament, state agencies, non-governmental and international organisations and other interested parties.
