According to the Ministry, the issues of preparation of the basic project documentation, budget, technical support, as well as deadlines and measures to be taken were discussed at the meeting.

"Through the forest restoration, reduction of forest loss, sustainable forest management and conservation, ECO.Georgia - the Georgian project to support the implementation of Georgia's forest sector reform - will help increase forest carbon stocks, as well as develop a market for energy efficient and alternative fuels, improve the living conditions of the local population and increase the role of the local self-government in a sustainable forest management.

It should be noted that ECO.Georgia includes eight municipalities of three regions of Georgia - Guria, Mtskheta-Mtianeti and Kakheti (Akhmeta, Telavi, Dedoplistskaro, Kvareli, Tianeti, Lanchkhuti, Ozurgeti and Chokhatauri).

The project is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, as well as the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the Government of the Swiss Confederation and is implemented with the involvement of the Agencies under the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia – the National Forestry Agency, the Rural Development Agency, the Department of Environmental Supervision and the Environmental Information and Education Center.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Environment Minister Kakha Kakabadze, the representatives of the relevant services of the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture and international organizations, "- the statement reads.