Georgia: Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture Otar Shamugia attended the interdepartmental commission’s first meeting to study the issues of improving atmospheric air quality.
The commission is working on various thematic state programs for the improvement of atmospheric air quality. The commission is headed by the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture, and all relevant government agencies and legal entities under public law are involved in it.
At the meeting of the commission, the current situation in terms of atmospheric air pollution in the target cities (Tbilisi, Batumi, and Rustavi), the national air quality management system, measures envisaged by the EU technical assistance project, and future plans were discussed.
“The source of atmospheric air pollution is manifold. Solving the issue requires a complex approach and active cooperation between state agencies. In recent years, a number of important measures have been carried out with the active involvement of state agencies, which had a positive impact on the improvement of ambient air quality. Among these measures are the tightening of state control of fuel quality, the restoration of mandatory technical inspection of vehicles, the technical improvement of public transport, the control of the regulation of emissions from the industrial sector, and the increase of sanctions for cases of environmental pollution”, said Otar Shamugia.
At the session of the inter-agency commission, it was noted that the current reform of atmospheric air quality management is fully based on the experience of the EU countries and the directives determined by the agreement on the association between Georgia and the EU.
As a result of the changes made in 2020 to the Law of Georgia “On Ambient Air Protection”, the national legislation has fully converged with the framework legislation of the European Union in the field of ambient air quality management.
“In accordance with the requirements of the national legislation and the best European practices, in order to solve the problem of air pollution in large cities and industrial centres, the Ministry has started to develop three plans for the management of atmospheric air quality. In particular, with the support of the European Union, two plans will be developed – for the Tbilisi agglomeration and for the Black Sea areas, which includes the city of Batumi. The third plan for the central zone will be developed with the support of the Swedish International Development Agency, which includes the city of Rustavi. I would like to thank the representatives of the European Union for the support provided; It is the experienced experts of the European Union who will help us to plan such measures, the implementation of which will contribute to the improvement of air quality in big cities”, the minister said.
