Borjomi Summit

2023
Written By Kika Tuff

Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, Georgia | November 7-9, 2023

 

The 2023 Borjomi Summit, co-hosted by Global Conservation in the Republic of Georgia, gathered over 150 delegates from 18 countries across Eurasia and Eastern Europe to address the urgent challenges facing national parks and protected areas.

This three-day event provided a platform for leaders, policymakers, and conservation experts to share strategies for protecting biodiversity and enhancing park management amid growing threats such as illegal hunting, logging, and underfunding. Key sessions explored advanced tools, such as remote sensing technologies and AI, to strengthen conservation efforts, alongside discussions on sustainable financing, community involvement, and biodiversity monitoring​. The summit underscored the importance of integrating local communities into conservation initiatives, promoting sustainable tourism, and fostering equitable approaches to biodiversity management.

GC Summits are a critical platform for the discussion of important issues on park and wildlife protection, including protected areas management, biodiversity conservation, working with communities and sustainable tourism. The Borjomi Summit raised awareness, shared experiences, and explored common policy issues focusing on nature protection and sustainable development of National Parks.

The event culminated in a declaration supporting collaborative efforts to protect endangered ecosystems, emphasizing international cooperation and equitable conservation measures.

Delegates called for greater global investment in protected areas, recognizing their critical role in combating climate change and preserving natural heritage.

The summit also showcased Georgia’s Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park as a model for balancing conservation with sustainable tourism, leaving attendees inspired to apply these best practices in their home regions​

Presentations

Participants highlighted the role of national parks in supporting local economies and emphasized the need for reinvesting tourism revenues into park preservation. Workshops and breakout sessions facilitated knowledge sharing, with experts from institutions like Colorado State University’s Center for Protected Area Management leading discussions on governance, wildlife protection, and sustainable livelihoods for communities living near protected areas. Explore Presentations below ↓

Tuesday, November 7th

  • Dr. Tamar Khakhishvili - Deputy Chairperson of the LEPL Agency of Protected Areas

    • Mr. Luri Nozadze - Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia

    • Ms. Khatia Tsilosani - Deputy Chairperson of the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee of Georgia

    • H.E. Ernst Peter Fischer - Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Georgia

    • Dr. Douglas Webb - UNDP Resident Representative a.i in Georgia

    • Ms. Rolande Pryce - Regional Director for the South Caucasus, World Bank

    • Ms. Elizabeth Messud – Executive Director of Caucasus Nature Fund | Download the PPT

    • Ms. Nino Antadze - UNDP, Team Leader, Environment and Energy Portfolio | Watch the Video

    • Mr. Paata Shanshiashvili - Technical Advisor and In-Country Coordinator for Georgia, United States Department of the Interior | Watch the Video | Download the PPT

    • Mr. Erik Illes - Head of Development Cooperation, Deputy Head of Mission of the Kingdom of Sweden to Georgia | Watch the Video

    • Mr. Karlo Amigulashvili - Head of Biodiversity and Forest Department at Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia | Watch the Video | Download the PPT

    • Mr. Davit Kobakhidze - Head of Biodiversity and Natural Resources Managment Unit, Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia | Watch the Video | Download the PPT

    • Mr. Zurab Gurgenidze - Conservation Programme Manager, SABUKO | Watch the Video

    • Mr. Jeff Morgan – Executive Director of Global Conservation | Watch the Video

    • Mr. Jim Barborak - Senior Advisor, Center for Protected Area Management, Colorado State University | Download the PPT

    • Mr. Michael Sutton - Executive Director, Goldman Environmental Prize, Chair, Board of Directors, Global Conservation | Download the PPT

    • Mr. Firth Griffith - Board Director, Global Conservation | Watch the Video | Download the PPT

  • N1: GEORGIA - RACHA NATIONAL PARK

    • Dr. Tamar Khakhishvili - Deputy Chairperson of the LEPL Agency of Protected Areas | Watch the Video

    • Mr. Mustafa Gonen - Director Eurasia and Eastern Europe, Global Conservation | Watch the Video

    N2: UKRAINE - CARPATHIANS NATIONAL PARK

    N3: MACEDONIA - SHAR MOUNTAINS

    • Mr. Mustafa Gonen - Director Eurasia and Eastern Europe, Global Conservation

    • Ms. Anela Stavrevska-Panajotova - Head of Nature Conservation Department, Public Institution National Parks Shar Mountains | Watch the Video | Download the PPT

 

Wednesday, November 8th

  • Dr. Tamar Khakhishvili - Deputy Chairperson of the LEPL Agency of Protected Areas

  • Ms. Erin Hicks - Associate Director, Center for Protected Area Management, Colorado State University

    Answer 2 Questions:

    1. What is your Goal(s) for the Borjomi Summit

    2. Greatest Single Management Challenge?

  • 8 Moderated Groups

    1. Leadership and capacity development

    2. Park protection and enforcement

    3. Role of communities in effective protected area management

    4. Sustainable tourism development

    5. Financial sustainability

    6. Systems and technology – Global Park Defense

    7. Research, monitoring, and stewardship

    8. Governance and partnerships

    Download the PPT

  • 8 MODERATED GROUPS - FACILITATED BY JIM BARBORAK AND ERIN HICKS, CSU

    1. Leadership and capacity development

    2. Park protection and enforcement

    3. Role of communities in effective protected area management

    4. Sustainable tourism development

    5. Financial sustainability

    6. Systems and technology – Global Park Defense

    7. Research, monitoring, and stewardship

    8. Governance and partnerships

    Download the PPT

  • N4: GEORGIA - BORJOMI-KHARAGAULI NATIONAL PARK

    • Dr. Nato Sultanishvili - Head of Planning and Development Division, LEPL Agency of Protected Areas

    • Mr. Giorgi Kapanadze - Visitor Service Specialist, Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park

    N5: UKRAINE - PROTECTING CARPATHIANS BIOSPHERE RESERVE

    • Ms. Anastasia Drapaliuk - Director wilderness, Ukraine

    • Mr. Fedir Hamor - Director, Carpathians Biosphere Reserve

 

Thursday, November 9th

  • Dr. Tamar Khakhishvili - Deputy Chairperson of the LEPL Agency of Protected Areas

  • Mr. Jim Barborak - Center for Protected Area Management, Colorado State University | Download the PPT

  • Ms. Erin Hicks and Mr. Jim Barborak, Center for Protected Area Management, Colorado State University and eight group rapporteurs/facilitators | Download the PPT

    • Mr. Duncan Rossart - Founder of “Journey with Purpose” | Download the PPT

    • Mr. Vano Vashakmadze - Tourism Sector Lead, USAID Economic Security Programme | Download the PPT

    • Mr. Paul Stephens - Founder, Advisor of the Transcaucasian Trail Association

    • Mr. Michael Sutton - Executive Director, Goldman Environmental Prize, Chair, Board of Directors, Global Conservation | Download the PPT

    • Mr. Anzor Gogitidze - Director of Protected Areas Network's Friends Association | Download the PPT

Kika Tuff

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