Georgia Highlights the Importance of Sustainable Agri-Food Systems at the Zero Waste Forum in Istanbul
Georgia's Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Zurab Ezugbaia, addressed the Zero Waste Forum in Istanbul, Türkiye, emphasizing the importance of reducing post-harvest losses and building efficient, sustainable, and resilient agri-food systems.
The forum brought together approximately 1,600 participants from nearly 50 international delegations, including policymakers, representatives of United Nations agencies, the private sector, academia, and civil society.
In his remarks, Deputy Minister Ezugbaia noted that reducing post-harvest losses is closely linked to strengthening agricultural competitiveness, enhancing food security, supporting rural development, and increasing farmers' incomes in Georgia.
"For Georgia, this issue is closely connected to improving the competitiveness of agriculture, strengthening food security, promoting rural development, and increasing farmers' incomes. In today's increasingly complex global environment, marked by climate-related challenges and disruptions to supply chains, reducing food losses is no longer solely an agricultural priority—it has become a key prerequisite for national resilience and sustainable economic development," said Zurab Ezugbaia.
The Deputy Minister highlighted that Georgia has made significant progress in modernizing its agricultural sector and strengthening agri-food value chains. Through targeted investments and government support programmes, the country has substantially improved storage, processing, logistics, and market access infrastructure, enabling producers to preserve product quality and reach higher-value markets.
"Reducing post-harvest losses requires coordinated action across every stage of the agri-food supply chain. Georgia remains committed to investing in modern infrastructure, innovation, and partnerships that deliver tangible benefits for both producers and consumers. By working together and sharing experience, we can build more efficient, sustainable, and resilient agri-food systems for future generations," Ezugbaia stated.
The Zero Waste Forum was held in Istanbul on 5–6 June under the leadership and patronage of Emine Erdoğan, First Lady of the Republic of Türkiye.
