To Map Circular Economy in Georgia Project – Adjara

Meetings in the Ministry of Agriculture of Adjara with Business Sector, and in Oil Terminal.

On 27th January 2022, Georgian Society of Nature Explorers “Orchis” (GSNE “Orchis”), in close cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, organized meetings in Batumi City, in the Ministry of Agriculture of Adjara with the representatives of business sector, and in Oil Terminal of Batumi in the frames of the project ‘To Map Circular Economy in Georgia’ funded by the Government of Sweden. On part of GSNE “Orchis”, the meetings were attended by: Mr. Medgar Tchelidze – Key National Expert in Sustainable Development (Deputy Team Leader), Mr. Archil Maghalashvili – Expert in Construction Economic Chain, and Mr. Kakha Rukhaia – Expert in Waste Management and Recycling; the Government of Adjara was represented by Mr. Pridon Putkaradze – Chairman of the Agrarian and Environmental Committee of the Supreme Council of Adjara, Mr. Mirian Katamadze – Deputy Minister of Agriculture, and Mr. Gocha Beridze – Director of Agroservice Centre; the business sector was represented by the directors of the citrus collection/ processing plant and dry fruit producing company “Kerki”, and exporters of citrus (Mr. Mr. Revaz Gogitidze, Rostom Zakaradze, Archil Khakhutaishvili, Kakha Shavadze, Archil Kekelidze, and Mrs. Nino Dolidze), as well as Mrs. Lali Kobuladze – Department Head of Oil Terminal.

The purpose of the meetings was to inform the representatives of the Government of Adjara and business sector about the circular economy, the goal and objectives of the circular economy mapping project, and aspects of the pilot projects, and to obtain their help in the collection of information needed for the assessment of circularity level of economy in Georgia.

In close partnership with the Government of Sweden and in cooperation with the Task Team of the implementing organization GSNE “Orchis”, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia is actively engaged in the circular economy mapping process in Georgia. The project aims at mapping circularity level of Georgian economy in close cooperation with the Government of Georgia. It considers the solution of the following important objectives: to map circularity of Georgian economy; to identify and define appropriate quantitative national circular economy policy targets and circular ambitions; to identify sectoral circular economy opportunities; to determine priority sectors for circular economy initiatives and sector-specific policy options; to develop recommendations for the Circular Economy Roadmap and Strategy of Georgia.

On behalf of GSNE “Orchis”, the implementation of the circular economy mapping project is led by an International Expert in the Circular Economy Dr. Dariusz Prasek – he is an international expert in sustainable financing, environmental, social and governance areas, a former Director of Operations in Environmental and Sustainability Department of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), member of the United Nations Advisory Board on Circular Economy, and Independent Expert on Development Financing at IDB Invest. He is supported by the group of local experts having a sound knowledge of Georgian economy and environmental, social and governance issues.

To Map Circular Economy in Georgia Project is being implemented by GSNE “Orchis” in close cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and through financial support of the Government of Sweden.