NEWS
GEORGIA TODAY MAY 21 - 27, 2021
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World Bank: Georgia Can Unlock Potential for Green Growth
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he World Bank and the Government of Georgia held a virtual event focused on the findings and recommendations of a recent World Bank report, Georgia: Towards Green and Resilient Growth. The report examines the potential for Georgia’s transition to green and resilient growth – a model of economic development that efficiently uses natural resources, minimizes pollution and environmental impacts, and is resilient against climate change impacts. The report estimates losses associated with pollution and degradation of agricultural and forest land and coastal zones. In 2018, air pollution in Georgia contributed to more than 4,000 lives lost, while its economic costs were estimated at $560 million, or 3% of GDP. The cost of agricultural and forest land degradation, which disproportionately impacts the rural poor who derive their livelihoods from land, was estimated at $128 million. Restoring landscapes is projected to reduce the poverty gap by 6%. Climate change will further exacerbate environmental degradation, particularly in Georgia’s coastal zones. In 2018, climate-driven flooding, erosion, waste, and damage to soil were estimated at 5% of coastal zone GDP. The report emphasizes the importance of natural assets for Georgia’s long-term development and outlines how recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic presents an opportunity for the country to build back better, fairer, and greener. “The World Bank Group stands with the Government of Georgia on its green pathway to economic recovery. We are
Source: The World Bank
delighted that our technical expertise and analysis is shaping Georgia’s green transition, addressing natural resource degradation, reducing the vulnerabilities of resource-dependent people, and identifying a green growth strategy that is just and works for all of Georgia – from the coast, plains, and mountains to urban centers,” said Sebastian Molineus, World Bank Regional Director for the South Caucasus. “The Government of Georgia has shown that it is ready to embrace this unique opportunity and we are committed to supporting all of Georgia on this green pathway.”
The World Bank’s global knowledge leadership and support for green growth provide an important contribution to Georgia’s approximation to the European Union. Becoming an EU member state means greening the country’s growth and aligning with the European Green Deal, soon to be a defining feature of the EU’s approach to development. “The Government of Georgia recognizes the green economy opportunities for the country and its potential for sustainable economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction. Despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic, we
are trying to approximate our legislation with best international practices in green development,” said Ekaterine Mikabadze, First Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia. “Considering the significance of the impacts of climate change on economic development, we highly appreciate the assistance of our international partners, including the World Bank, for supporting us throughout our green transition.” Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, Georgia has pledged to enhance sustainable development and to curb global warming through its recently updated Nation-
ally Determined Contribution (NDC), which sets forth specific measures for greenhouse gas emission reductions and climate-change adaptation. As part of its updated NDC, Georgia pledged a 35-percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 as compared to 1990. At the Conference of the Parties (COP) in Glasgow later this year, Georgia and all Paris Agreement signatories will be reporting on progress made towards these targets. “I commend the Government of Georgia for recognizing the importance of the country’s unique coastal and marine resources and emphasizing in its updated NDC climate adaptation measures in its coastal zone. The resilient use of natural resources, including those in coastal areas, and bringing back tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic, are among the priority interventions,” said Steven Schonberger, World Bank Sustainable Development Regional Director. The report emphasizes that the green growth model will require a mix of bold policy actions that strengthen forest and landscape management, develop a climate-resilient coastal zone, manage pollution, and build a multi-sectoral approach to sustainable development. “Looking to the future, the World Bank is supporting the Green Transition Platform that will outline a green growth path for Georgia to achieve its climate targets (NDC). Among the priority actions on this path are implementing policies to enhance efficient resource use, decarbonizing and adapting to climate change, and promoting technological innovation and environmentally friendly industries and jobs,” announced the World Bank.
5 Years Since Murder of Georgian Giga Otkhozoria by Occupation Forces BY ANA DUMBADZE
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ive years have passed since the brutal murder of Georgian citizen Giga Otkgozria by occupying forces in the village of Khurcha, near Georgia’s western, Russian-occupied Abkhazia region. Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili, responded to this date on social media, stating that “the government is
doing everything possible to punish all those guilty of the murder of Giga Otkhozoria with the full force of the law.” “We are using all legal and international instruments at our disposal to bring those responsible to justice,” Garibashvili said in a May 19 post. Giga Otkhozoria, an IDP from Gali district, who lived in Zugdidi, was shot six times by Abkhaz so-called border guard Rashid Kanjiogli in 2016. Those involved in Otkhozoria’s murder have not been punished. The Georgian side sentenced Rashid
Rashid Kanjiogli to 14 years in prison in absentia and declared him internationally wanted. Kanjiogli was not punished in de facto Abkhazia. He was sentenced to house arrest by a de facto court in Abkhazia in 2017, but the same year the de facto prosecutor’s office terminated the investigation and prosecution due to lack of evidence. The fact of Giga Otkhozoria’s murder is recorded on video. The murder on the occupation line was filmed by a CCTV camera.
Lisi Trail Race to be Held on May 30th Source of photo: Lisi Trail Race Facebook page
Lisi Trail Race to be Held on May 30th BY KETEVAN SKHIRTLADZE
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Image Source: Odishi News
n May 30, the Lisi Trail Race will be held for both experienced and beginner runners. The race offers the full distance of 19 kilometers (1,000m elevation gain) as well as shorter 10 kilometers (650m elevation gain) and 6.5 kilometers (250m elevation gain) fun distances for those who want to run less. All three distances will start near the Tsodoreti Dry Lake. Routes of the full and short distances follow the trail in the forest up to the top of one of the highest peaks in Tbilisi. Then the route descends to Mskhaldidi Lake, where
participants of the 10km distance race run around the lake and head back to the start/finish location. 19km distance participants continue their way towards Lomis Seri, Bevreti Gorge, and then the finish location. The 6.5-kilometer fun distance route goes into the hills opposite the 19 and 10 km routes. The routes for all three distances will be marked and refreshment points will be available at several points along with it. All the finishers of the full distance will receive ITRA points for qualifying for different international trail races and for competing with their peers. Registration/tickets: https://tkt.ge/ lisi2021
