As part of renewed cooperation between Georgia and the Caucasus Nature Fund [CNF] in protected areas, Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture David Songulashvili and David Morrison, Executive Director of the Caucasus Nature Fund, signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] on cooperation to develop protected areas.

The Minister thanked the Caucasus Nature Fund for its longstanding support and effective cooperation. As he noted, the renewed MoU marks another important milestone in the continued development of Georgia’s protected areas and in further strengthening the country’s cooperation with international partners on nature conservation.

“The renewed cooperation will make a significant contribution to the further development and strengthening of Georgia’s protected areas. Our objective is to support the establishment of new protected areas, improve existing infrastructure, and implement projects that, alongside nature conservation, also promote greater economic opportunities for local communities. I am confident that our renewed partnership with the Caucasus Nature Fund will help us achieve significant results in these areas”, - said David Songulashvili.

“It is evident that the country has made significant progress over the past decade. I am pleased to be part of this process. We have a particularly exciting year ahead in terms of the development of protected areas”, - added David Morrison.

As part of the renewed MoU, the Caucasus Nature Fund will support the development of the new Tsiv-Gombori protected area in the Kakheti region.

With the support of the international donor organization Wyss Foundation, the Caucasus Nature Fund will also continue supporting the development of protected areas across Georgia. Notably, under the MoU, the Wyss Foundation has allocated a total grant of up to USD 7.25 million to the Caucasus Nature Fund.

With co-financing from the Caucasus Nature Fund and other donors, the project’s total estimated value is approximately USD 11 million, with implementation planned over a 5-year period.

Particular emphasis will be placed on strengthening the effective management of protected areas, enhancing staff capacity, developing biodiversity monitoring systems, and deepening partnerships with local communities.

Cooperation between Georgia and the Caucasus Nature Fund in the field of protected areas began in 2008 and has since contributed to the development of 15 protected areas across Georgia.

The First Deputy Minister, Nino Tandilashvili, and senior officials of the Ministry’s relevant Agencies and Departments attended the meeting.