Tbilisi: Nino Tandilashvili, First Deputy Minister of Environment and Agriculture of Republic of Georgia discussed planned programs in the South Caucasus region at the meeting with representatives of USAID.
It is specifically to be mentioned that Nino Tandilashvili discussed the implementation of the programs “USAID Regional Water Management Program” and “USAID Regional Tourism Program” planned in the South Caucasus Region. Both sides focused on the importance of the programs, the deadlines for implementation and the role of the participants.
Nino Tandilashvili said, “The support of the USAID is very important and urgent for the development of the sector. With the support of USAID we have implemented a number of important programs and projects in Georgia. Before starting new programs, we have to determine what needs we have and which project will cover in which direction. The Ministry, together with its subordinates is ready to be actively involved in the process. We have close cooperation with our Armenian and Azerbaijani colleagues in different areas. New projects will strengthen our partnership even more”.
As per the present information USAID’s Southern Caucasus Regional Water Management Program will be implemented in the year 2028, and its budget will be $20 million. The aim of the program is to promote water management in the South Caucasus region through the involvement of all stakeholders and effective cross-border cooperation.
The program will help to shape common priorities in the field of environment and water resources management as well as to strengthen regional cooperation. USAID’s South Caucasus Regional Tourism Program will be implemented in 2026, and its goal is to promote long-term regional cooperation in tourism based on shared economic interests.
The program will unite the private sector of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, civil society and government agencies to support tourism development. Implementing the program will further help to boost tourist inflows in the region which can boost local business revenue and create jobs as well.
For many years, the Georgian Ministry of Environment and Agriculture has been connecting strategic partnerships and cooperation agencies with the relevant structures of the United States AID agency. Financial assistance from the United States for implemented and ongoing projects from 2008 to now amounted to about $200 million.
On the other hand the representative of USAID stated that the agency is committed to make more effort to support the ongoing projects in Georgia.
