Armenia and Georgia cooperate on cross-border forest fire risk assessment and prevention with OSCE support
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Armenia and Georgia are cooperating, with the support of the OSCE, on assessing and preventing cross-border forest fire risks, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Robert Abisoghomonyan said during an event titled “Strengthening Ecosystems, Securing the Future: Cross-Border Cooperation between Armenia and Georgia,” held on the sidelines of COP17.
He said that Armenia and Georgia are friendly and brotherly countries with a long history of cooperation in connectivity, sustainable development, and environmental protection.
“Forest fires are a clear example of a challenge that recognizes no state borders. Addressing such risks requires information sharing, coordination of preparedness, and the pooling of efforts by relevant institutions operating on both sides of the border. This is precisely what Armenia and Georgia are doing with the support of the OSCE,” Abisoghomonyan said.
He said that environmental cooperation between Armenia and Georgia is an important component of bilateral relations, and its significance lies not only in addressing specific risks but also in bringing together institutions, experts, and communities around shared priorities.
“This is an important aspect of our strategic partnership. It demonstrates how bilateral relations can bring tangible benefits to people, especially those living in border regions, whose livelihoods and well-being depend on the sustainable management of natural resources,” he said, adding that implementing the global biodiversity framework requires approaches that take into account the environmental and geographical characteristics of each region.
Karlo Amirgulashvili, Head of the Forest Policy Department at Georgia’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, described forest fires as a serious challenge for Georgia and the entire region.
“We are all committed to taking the necessary steps to address their causes and consequences,” he said, emphasizing that the measures being implemented not only contribute to forest fire management but also provide an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between Armenia and Georgia.