The First Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Giorgi Khanishvili has participated in the online information sharing meeting between the representatives of the ministry and FAO in Georgia. The meeting  covered FAO's ongoing projects implemented in Georgia, as well as future plans and goals.

Giorgi Khanishvili thanked the representatives of the organization for years of support to the agricultural and rural development sectors in Georgia.

“FAO is a very important partner for us. Our close partnership resulted in the numerous successful, interesting and necessary projects in Georgia. Currently, the ministry works on a 10-year agricultural development plan where FAO’s expertise and support is crucial,” Khanishvili said.

“I am pleased that FAO’s partnership with the Ministry has been traditionally very efficient. Our technical assistance programmes and initiatives implemented with support of our partners are in line with Georgia’s national priorities to promote  rural and agricultural development and address environmental protection,” said Mamuka Meskhi, Assistant FAO Representative in Georgia.

The participants of the meeting provided comprehensive overview of the FAO initiatives in Georgia, including the project under ENPARD III (EU-funded), National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS) (Swiss and Austria-funded), Action for Private Sector Competitiveness in Georgia (EU-funded), Rural and Agricultural Development project (Austria-funded) and other Technical Cooperation Projects (TCPs).

The representatives of the corresponding departments and services of the ministry, as well as the FAO staff in Georgia attended the information sharing meeting.