The Chair of the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee, Maia Bitadze participated in the regional conference “Making Global Goals Local Business – Georgia”, organized by the Global Compact Georgia Network and the UN Global Compact Headquarters.

The conference dealt with sundry issues including: green economy, innovation, green financing and partnerships to achieve the sustainable development agenda.

In her speech, M. Bitadze dwelt on the most important legislative and governance reforms achieved in the field of environment. As she stated: “After decades of deregulation, in 2014, with the signing of the Association Agreement, a turning point began in the development of new environmental legislation and the refinement of existing ones. In particular, since 2014, the Parliament of Georgia has adopted the Law on Environmental Responsibility, the Code of Environmental Assessment, the new Forest Code; Waste Management Code; Law on Radioactive Waste, etc. It should be noted that the adopted laws implement European principles and standards for the management of these areas and ensure the sustainable development of the country”.

The Chair of the Committee also spoke about the scheduled legislative reforms and noted that the Committee is fully aware that a new legal framework alone is not enough and their effective implementation is necessary, for which the Committee has developed a 6-point action plan, which is in full compliance with the EUAA.

M. Bitadze informed the conference participants about the priorities defined by the Action Plan of the Committee.

According to her, the main goal of these reforms was to introduce a green economy in the country, which, along with improving the environment, would create many so-called "green jobs" and ensure the country's sustainable development.

The conference was attended by representatives of five countries (Georgia, Ukraine, Poland, Turkey and Belarus), the state sector, the business sector and international organizations.