Georgia continues to demonstrate strong economic performance, with average growth reaching 7.6 percent in the first eight months of 2026. The Prime Minister of Georgia said this during his speech at the Leaders’ Summit at the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention on Bio Diversity.

“The World Bank has recently revised its projection for Georgia’s economic growth upwards to 7 percent for 2026. According to its projections, Georgia is also expected to record the highest economic growth among European countries over the 2026-2028 period. Our priority is to ensure that this growth reaches our rural and mountain communities, where livelihoods depend directly on nature. That is why we are making protected areas, forest restoration and sustainable tourism engines of local development, so that conserving nature creates jobs and opportunities beyond our major cities.

Achieving lasting progress also requires cooperation beyond national borders. In the South Caucasus, shared ecosystems provide a foundation for closer regional partnerships and sustainable development. Georgia is committed to working with its neighbours to protect this common natural heritage.

Alongside regional cooperation, international partnerships play an important role in translating conservation commitments into practical results. Strengthening international cooperation, mobilizing resources and sharing expertise are essential to ensuring effective and sustainable biodiversity conservation.

As we approach 2030, our priority must be to translate global biodiversity commitments into concrete and lasting achievements. This Summit offers an important opportunity to reinforce our collective determination to fulfil the objectives of the Kunming - Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and give further momentum to their implementation.

We remain committed to working with international partners to safeguard biodiversity, strengthen conservation efforts and ensure that the protection of nature goes hand in hand with the well-being of future generations”, - said Irakli Kobakhidze.