A virtual event on climate change and marine pollution, with the cooperation of the World Bank, the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation and the Government of Georgia.
A virtual event on climate change and marine pollution, with the cooperation of the World Bank, the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation and the Government of Georgia.
This event focuses on the findings and recommendations of two recent World Bank reports: and
The reports identify key climate risks and vulnerabilities, and the costs of environmental degradation of the coastal zone due to pollution, flooding, coastal erosion, and agricultural soil and forest degradation. Climate adaptation through resilient use of water resources and bringing back tourism to coastal areas after the COVID-19 pandemic are among the recommended priority coastal adaptation interventions.
The event also initiates consultations on a World Bank and the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation supported new regional initiative to tackle marine pollution and catalyze Blue Economy investments in the Black Sea region. Recognizing the critical importance that environmental rehabilitation of the Black Sea has for the entire region, the World Bank supports Georgia, as well as other countries of the region, in their collaboration for effective pollution prevention, reduction, and control in the Black Sea.
The Blueing the Black Sea consultations contribute to strengthened national and regional dialogue to address marine pollution and provide Georgia with a valuable opportunity to integrate the Black Sea into the country¡¯s strategies for climate adaptation and mitigation.
Thursday, 25 February 2021 | |
17.00 ¨C 17.20 | WELCOME ADDRESS |
| H.E. Amb. Michael B. CHRISTIDES, Secretary General, Permanent International Secretariat (PERMIS), Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Mr. Sebastian Molineus, Regional Director for the South Caucasus, World Bank Mr. Steven Schonberger, Regional Director, Sustainable Development for Europe and Central Asia, World Bank Ms. Nino Tandilashvili, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia
Moderator: Ms. Paola Agostini, Lead Environmental Specialist, World Bank |
| FAMILY PHOTO |
17.20 ¨C 17.50 | SESSION 1. THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE COASTAL ZONE OF GEORGIA AND THE COST OF INACTION |
| The plenary session will present two recent reports prepared by the World Bank in collaboration with the Government of Georgia: Impacts of Climate Change on Georgia¡¯s Coastal Zone: Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Options and The Cost of Coastal Zone Degradation in Georgia: A Tool for Coastal Zone Adaptation and Nationally Determined Contributions. The recommendations provided in these two reports seek to raise the level of urgency needed to reduce the impact of climate change on the coastal zone and the escalating cost of inaction, and focus on Blue Economy, as a vehicle for accelerating climate change adaptation and mitigation measures and for contributing to Georgia¡¯s and the region¡¯s socioeconomic development, tourism, and environmental conservation. Speaker: Ms. Darejan Kapanadze, Senior Environmental Specialist, World Bank Moderator: Ms. Paola Agostini, Lead Natural Resources Specialist, World Bank Q & A Session |
17.50 ¨C 18.10 | SESSION 2: BLUEING THE BLACK SEA PROGRAM (BBSEA): TURNING THE TIDE OF POLLUTION IN THE BLACK SEA (ASA) |
| This session will present the concept of the Regional Blueing the Black Sea Programme (BBSEA-GEF) to introduce the World Bank-led effort to establish an up-to-date diagnostic of the state of play and the issues at stake regarding marine pollution in the Black Sea on the example of the efforts of the coastal countries. Through a targeted discussion, the panel will aim to identify the sources, impacts and prevention efforts (information and institutional gaps) related to marine pollution, as well as the key pollution challenges in Georgia. The findings will feed into an in-country pollution diagnostic paper, which, in turn, will inform the BBSEA-GEF architecture. Speakers: Mr. Owen McIntyre, Director LLM, University College Cork Mr. Nicola Bertolini, Manager, Ambiente SPA Moderator: Ms. Iryna Makarenko, Pollution Monitoring and Assessment Officer, Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution Q & A Session |
18.10 ¨C 18.45 | SESSION 3: BLUEING THE BLACK SEA PROGRAM: BBSEA GEF PROJECT, FOCUS ON GEORGIA |
| The working session will present the planned BBSEA-GEF project and will aim to gather feedback on its key components. The discussion will contribute to the understanding of the priorities of public authorities and private stakeholders with respect to the overall project and its parts, and to the promotion of eco-sustainable business practices, innovation, and finance that support pollution reduction. The session will touch upon avenues to involve financial institutions in funding and promoting green technology investments, focusing on pollution reduction. Speaker: Ms. Rositsa Stoeva, Executive Manager, Permanent International Secretariat (PERMIS), Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC); BBSEA Project Manager Moderator: Mr. Svetoslav Stoyanov, Blue Economy Expert; BBSEA Program Officer Q & A Session |
18.45 ¨C 19.00 | WRAP-UP OF THE DISCUSSIONS AND CLOSING REMARKS |
| Speakers: Ms. Rositsa Stoeva, Executive Manager, BSEC PERMIS; BBSEA Project Manager Ms. B¨¦reng¨¨re Prince, Lead Natural Resources Management Specialist, World Bank |