“We take our role in addressing the climate crisis seriously in Georgia and have already taken significant steps towards this end,” said Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili addressing the World Leaders Summit of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to the PM, over 500 million USD was allocated for the climate mitigation and adaptation measures from the Georgian state budget in 2023.

“We take our role in addressing the climate crisis seriously in Georgia and have already taken significant steps towards this end. Over 500 million USD was allocated for the climate mitigation and adaptation measures from the State Budget of Georgia this year. Moreover, development of the national infrastructure is already taking into account the low-carbon and climate adaptation measures, equaling to over 300 million USD a year.

My Government supports the idea of making Europe the first continent to reach a net-zero emissions balance. With this in mind, we have adopted the long-term low emissions development strategy, declaring “carbon neutrality” as an important goal by 2050. Georgia also commits to presenting a new and more ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in 2025.

In addition, I am delighted to note that up to 85% of electricity comes from renewable sources in Georgia. However, further enhancement of our share of renewable energy remains a strategic priority for us and I am pleased to announce that Georgia is joining the COP28 Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge.

Dear Colleagues, I strongly support the vision of the COP28’s Presidency for scaling up renewable energy to phase out the unabated fossil fuels. We believe that the formally negotiated outcome should include a commitment to triple renewable energy and double energy efficiency by 2030, along with an equitable phase-out of unabated fossil fuels.

In conclusion, I am hopeful that during COP28, we will be able to live up to the unique moment together and deliver on our promise to shape a brighter, healthier and greener future for the generations to come,” he said.

Delegates from nearly 200 countries, leaders of business and finance, and representatives of civil society gathered in Dubai from November 30 to December 12 for the COP28 climate conference with the aim of fast-tracking the transition to a clean-energy future.