Georgia's Strategy on Sustainable Urban Transport: National Discussion Kicks Off

The legal and institutional framework and financial resources needed to promote sustainable urban transport in Georgia were the focus of a workshop on May 19.

The event brought together representatives of the Georgian government, civil society, and 10 municipalities across Georgia – Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, Gori, Mtskheta, Telavi, Poti, Akhaltsikhe and Zugdidi.

The workshop kicked off a series of national discussions that will continue through August and will lead Georgia to developing its first national strategy and policy framework of sustainable urban transport.

The initiative is supported by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Global Environment Facility (GEF), in close partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection of Georgia.

“The national discussions will help shape the vision of the sustainable urban transport strategy, develop clear guidelines for municipalities, and identify institutional and financial mechanisms for coordinating sustainable urban transport at the national, regional and local levels,” said Nino Antadze, Environment and Energy Team Leader at UNDP in Georgia.

Experts from the Georgian non-governmental organization “Partnership for Road Safety” and the Dutch non-government organization MOVE Mobility presented an overview of urban transport in Georgia and informed attendees about best practices utilized in Europe.

The work continued in thematic working groups during which participants discussed the priorities of the sustainable urban transport strategy, required legislation and financial mechanisms.