Georgia Marks International Day for Biological Diversity with Awareness and Public Engagement Event

Georgia marked the International Day for Biological Diversity with a special event organized at the initiative of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, with support from the Environmental Information and Education Center and the international biodiversity partnership, NBSAP Accelerator Partnership.

The event aimed to inform the public about the government’s efforts in biodiversity conservation and encourage greater citizen engagement in environmental protection processes.

The gathering brought together environmental professionals, young people, biodiversity experts, and representatives of environmental organizations. Participants received information about Georgia’s achievements in biodiversity conservation, species restoration initiatives, the expansion of protected areas, and ongoing international cooperation in the field.

As part of the event, winners of the photography competition “Georgia’s Biodiversity Through My Lens” were awarded. The prizes were presented by Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Zurab Ezugbaia.

“This is a valuable opportunity for the Ministry to report on its work to those who are interested and actively engaged in this field. Through our joint efforts, we can achieve the important goal of preserving Georgia’s biodiversity. Today’s message reflects exactly that—from local action to global impact. It is important for Georgia to make its meaningful contribution to the protection and preservation of the world’s natural heritage,” said Zurab Ezugbaia.

The competition jury selected 18 winning photographs.

“The photography competition dedicated to the International Day for Biological Diversity received significant interest and participation. Through the competition, we identified 18 winning photographs that most effectively showcased Georgia’s unique nature and biodiversity,” noted Tamta Devdariani, Director of the Environmental Information and Education Center.

The International Day for Biological Diversity is observed annually on May 22, following a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly. The day aims to raise public awareness about the importance of biodiversity, highlight the need to protect natural resources, and encourage active participation in environmental conservation.