As part of the observance of World Environment Day, the official launch of the development process for Georgia’s first National Adaptation Plan (NAP) on Climate Change was held. The event featured opening remarks by Maia Bitadze, Chair of the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee.

“This is a project of particular importance for our country and is fully aligned with the legislative changes on which the Parliament and the Government of Georgia are jointly working. I am proud to note that the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee of the Parliament of Georgia has completed work on the draft Law on Climate Change. This will be the first law in Georgia to bring together, within a single legal framework, all existing norms and mechanisms related to climate change, including those concerning climate change adaptation. I hope that we will begin consideration of this draft law during the Parliament’s autumn session. Its adoption will mark an important milestone in the country’s legal system and create new opportunities for climate change governance”, - Maia Bitadze stated.

The participants were also addressed by David Songulashvili, the Environmental Protection and Agriculture Minister.

The event was attended by Mirey Atallah, Head of the Adaptation Division of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Climate Change Department; Esei Daniel, UNEP Programme Officer; and Julie Greenwalt, UN International Expert on Climate Change.

The National Adaptation Plan will be developed under the project “Strengthening Capacity for Advancing Georgia’s National Adaptation Plan Process,” implemented by the Environmental Protection and Agriculture Ministry and the Environmental Information and Education Centre with financial support from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

The National Adaptation Plan will serve as the country’s first comprehensive framework document, ensuring the long-term planning, coordination, and integration of climate change adaptation measures into national and sectoral policies.

Within the framework of the project, a 10-year strategic vision and a 5-year national action plan will be prepared. The initiative will also strengthen governance, coordination, financing, monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms related to climate change adaptation.