Environment Protection and Agriculture Minister Davit Songhulashvili addressed the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in Nairobi, Kenya, highlighting Georgia’s environmental achievements and its commitment to global sustainability.

According to the Ministry of Environment Protection, the session is taking place from December 8–13 at the headquarters of the UN Environment Programme under the theme “Sustainable Solutions for a Better Planet.” UNEA-7 brings together environment and climate ministers from nearly 50 countries—including Belgium, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, Türkiye, Armenia, Qatar, the UAE, and Kazakhstan—along with representatives from 130 nations and international organisations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto opened the session.

In his leaders’ panel address, Songhulashvili outlined Georgia’s environmental policy priorities, recent progress, and the country’s growing role in global sustainable development efforts. He stressed that peace and regional stability remain essential foundations for achieving sustainable development goals, noting that peace is Georgia’s “strategic choice and constant responsibility.”

The minister detailed several key achievements, including:

A ban on single-use plastics and expanded polystyrene (EPS) starting January 2026

The adoption of a new water resources management law fully aligned with EU directives

Georgia’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2035 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050

He also underscored the expansion of Georgia’s protected areas, noting that their total size has doubled over the past decade, with plans to protect at least 30% of the country’s territory by 2035.

Songhulashvili emphasized that Georgia’s experience shows how even a small country can contribute meaningfully to global sustainability when backed by strong political will and international cooperation.

The opening session was attended alongside the minister by First Deputy Minister Nino Tandilashvili and Georgia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Gia Macharadze.