Georgia
(Please check against delivery)
Speech of H.E. Mr. Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia
at the Interactive Dialogue 4
Protecting our Planet and Combating Climate Change
The United Nations summit for the adoption of the post-20tS development
agenda
New York, 27 September 20tS
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Colleagues,
It is my honor and great pleasure to have this opportunity to be engaged in an interactive dialogue on Protecting Our Planet and Combating Climate Change, one of the key challenges for the 21st century.
Today, the world is facing environmental challenges threatening the quality of our drinking water, eroding our natural resources, and creating massive amounts of property damage for individuals and industries alike.
Georgia's commitment to Green Growth is steadfast.
Because of our unique geographical location and varied climate, Georgia is extremely vulnerable to climate change. This summer, Tbilisi, our capital city, suffered severe flooding which had a drastic impact on human lives and infrastructure. The tragedy has become an additional driver for us to tackle climate change with redoubled vigour.
2
We do so by boosting investments in low carbon technologies throughout Georgia, which will reduce the vulnerability of highly exposed communities. Georgia is therefore taking steps to integrate climate risk and resilience into core development planning and implementation.
As a Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) since 1994, Georgia is fully committed to the objectives of the Convention and UNFCCC negotiation process.
Georgia launched in 2013 the elaboration of the Low Emission Development Strategy (LEOS) with support of the US government. Based on the results achieved, we prepared and submitted our INDC to the UNFCCC Secretariat, which outlines post-2020 climate change mitigation actions intended to be taken under a new 2015 Agreement. The sustainable development goals and national circumstances have been taken into account during the preparation of Georgia's INDC.
Furthermore, Georgia is committed to develop and adopt the Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA) and Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDO). Georgia supports green economic development by promoting modern environmental technologies, developing clean transport services and ensuring the transfer to Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP).
Georgia plans to unconditionally reduce its GHG emissions by 15% below the Business As Usual scenario (BAU) for the year 2030. But we need international support. Access to finance that allows Georgia to invest in new technologies to substantially limit GHG emissions is crucial for us.
To conclude, I would like to reaffirm Georgia's readiness to make its own contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals at national, regional and global level. In order to create a sustainable future and safeguard the planet for future generations, the necessary steps must be taken today.
Thank you for attention.
* * *
Speech of H.E. Mr. Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia
at the Interactive Dialogue 4
Protecting our Planet and Combating Climate Change
The United Nations summit for the adoption of the post-20tS development
agenda
New York, 27 September 20tS
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Colleagues,
It is my honor and great pleasure to have this opportunity to be engaged in an interactive dialogue on Protecting Our Planet and Combating Climate Change, one of the key challenges for the 21st century.
Today, the world is facing environmental challenges threatening the quality of our drinking water, eroding our natural resources, and creating massive amounts of property damage for individuals and industries alike.
Georgia's commitment to Green Growth is steadfast.
Because of our unique geographical location and varied climate, Georgia is extremely vulnerable to climate change. This summer, Tbilisi, our capital city, suffered severe flooding which had a drastic impact on human lives and infrastructure. The tragedy has become an additional driver for us to tackle climate change with redoubled vigour.
2
We do so by boosting investments in low carbon technologies throughout Georgia, which will reduce the vulnerability of highly exposed communities. Georgia is therefore taking steps to integrate climate risk and resilience into core development planning and implementation.
As a Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) since 1994, Georgia is fully committed to the objectives of the Convention and UNFCCC negotiation process.
Georgia launched in 2013 the elaboration of the Low Emission Development Strategy (LEOS) with support of the US government. Based on the results achieved, we prepared and submitted our INDC to the UNFCCC Secretariat, which outlines post-2020 climate change mitigation actions intended to be taken under a new 2015 Agreement. The sustainable development goals and national circumstances have been taken into account during the preparation of Georgia's INDC.
Furthermore, Georgia is committed to develop and adopt the Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA) and Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDO). Georgia supports green economic development by promoting modern environmental technologies, developing clean transport services and ensuring the transfer to Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP).
Georgia plans to unconditionally reduce its GHG emissions by 15% below the Business As Usual scenario (BAU) for the year 2030. But we need international support. Access to finance that allows Georgia to invest in new technologies to substantially limit GHG emissions is crucial for us.
To conclude, I would like to reaffirm Georgia's readiness to make its own contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals at national, regional and global level. In order to create a sustainable future and safeguard the planet for future generations, the necessary steps must be taken today.
Thank you for attention.
* * *
Stakeholders