The advisory board established in the agency of protected areas

The Advisory Board of the Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia finally got a status of a legal entity after an amendment in the legislation.

The Advisory Board comprised of representatives from universities working in collaboration with non-public (NGO sector) and international organizations targeting the environmental and tourism sectors, will conduct bimonthly meetings to discuss relevant problems, accomplished objectives, and future goals.

The Chairman of the Agency approved the following members of the board: Caucasus Environmental NGO Network – CENN, the Biodiversity Conservation and Research Center – NACRES, Green Alternative, the World Wildlife Fund – WWF, the International Union for Conservation of Nature  – IUCN, the Regional Environmental Center for the Caucasus –REC Caucasus, GIZ, the Caucasus Nature Fund – CNF, the Global Environmental Facility – GEF, the United Nations Development Program – UNDP, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE, the Ecotourism Development Center. The board also comprises the representatives of Free University, Ilia State University, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University and GIPA. 

The setting up of an Advisory Board bases on internationally recognized processes and experiences and the Agency believes such an approach will be beneficial to Georgia’s Protected Areas, as well as the development of environmentally sustainable tourism within the country.