Borjomi Summit
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 ↓