Environment Protection and Agriculture Minister Davit Songhulashvili delivered an address at the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in Nairobi, Kenya.

According to the Ministry of Environment Protection, the session is being held from December 8-13 at the headquarters of the UN Environment Programme, with the main message: “Sustainable Solutions for a Better Planet”.

UNEA-7 is attended by environment and climate ministers from up to 50 countries, including Belgium, Finland, Norway, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Hungary, Denmark, Türkiye, Armenia, Great Britain, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kazakhstan, as well as representatives from 130 countries and international organisations.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto welcomed the opening of the session.

During his address at the leaders’ panel, Davit Songhulashvili spoke about Georgia’s environmental policy priorities, the progress achieved, and the significant role the country plays in global sustainable development processes.

The minister emphasised the importance of peace and stability in the region, which is an essential precondition for achieving sustainable development goals. According to him, Georgia’s strategic choice remains peace as a constant responsibility and the fundamental foundation of development.

Davit Songhulashvili informed session participants about the significant results Georgia has achieved in environmental governance, combating climate change, and green development, highlighting the ban on single-use plastics and expanded polystyrene (EPS) products from January 2026, the adoption of a new water resources management law that is in complete alignment with European Union directives, as well as the 50% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

The minister placed particular emphasis on the importance of expanding protected territories, noting that the doubling of protected territory area over the past decade and the plan to ensure protection of at least 30% of the country’s territory by 2035 are being successfully implemented.

As Davit Songhulashvili observed, Georgia’s experience demonstrates that even a small country can make a meaningful contribution to global affairs when sustainable policies are guided by international partnership and strong political will.

According to the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture, the session opening was attended, alongside Davit Songhulashvili, by First Deputy Minister Nino Tandilashvili and Georgia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Gia Macharadze.