Deputy Minister of Environment Anna Mazmanyan met with Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, environmental problems of the region were discussed.
A delegation led by the Deputy Minister of  Environment Anna Mazmanyan is in Glasgow to participate in the 26th Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change-#COP26.
Within the framework of the forum, the Deputy Minister will hold a number of bilateral meetings with international partners in the field in order to find joint solutions to environmental problems.
The Deputy Minister Anna Mazmanyan met with the Deputy Minister of Nature Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Nino Tandilashvili.
As a logical continuation of the bilateral meetings and active cooperation between the Prime Ministers of Armenia and Georgia, the parties discussed the prospects of Armenia-Georgia cooperation in the field of nature protection.
The parties discussed issues related to deforestation and improving the efficiency of forest management in border communities, issues of enhanced protection of biodiversity, monitoring and sustainable use, issues of effective use and management of water resources, as well as Georgian experience in managing specially protected natural territories.
Deputy Minister Anna Mazmanyan noted that despite the difficulties and certain changes in priorities that have arisen as a result of the war and struggle, Armenia continues to remain faithful to the obligations assumed by international conventions, and that our country intends to make significant progress in the field of environmental protection and management in the foreseeable future.
In particular, Anna Mazmanyan touched upon the activities of the Lake Arpi National Park, the protection of the lake and the surrounding area.
The Deputy Minister stressed the importance of exchanging experience between the two countries and expressed readiness to organize professional meetings with representatives of the relevant departments of the Ministry of Environment.
Deputy Minister Nino Tandilashvili, in turn, noted the importance of strengthening cooperation between the countries in the field of the environment, stressing that ecology knows no borders.
Specially protected territories of Georgia amount 30% of the country's territory. Currently, new territories are being assessed through the management plans to give the status of a specially protected area.
Nino Tandilashvili presented the system of protected natural territories of Georgia and how it is managed. Georgia has a Central Agency subordinate to the Ministry of Nature Protection and Agriculture, which coordinates the work of all agencies established for various protected areas. There are advanced infrastructures in the protected areas: an administrative office, scientific departments, groups of ranger guards and ecotourism specialists.
The Deputy Minister noted the importance of having an electronic ticket system for special routes of entry into specially protected areas and visits, as well as providing sufficient information materials regarding the territories.
The Armenian side asked to share their experience regarding the GIZ program funded by the Green Climate Fund in Georgia, which was funded after the relevant legislative reforms. The Government of Georgia has completely changed the Forest Code, bringing it in line with the best international standards.
The program being implemented is quite large-scale. It includes forest inventory and monitoring, forest waste management, the creation of alternative energy solutions for communities adjacent to forests, and the fight against illegal tree felling.
The parties agreed to hold more detailed and substantive discussions after the forum.
Anna Mazmanyan invited her colleagues to visit the Lake Arpi National Park and other specially protected areas in order to consider and discuss cooperation formats on the spot.