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David Songulashvili delivered remarks at the 44th Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome
"Georgia, as a small country with a remarkably diverse agricultural sector, cannot compete in volume with large-scale producers. Therefore, we focus on quality, uniqueness, and sustainability. Our agricultural strategy aims to produce niche and high-quality products, which distinctly set the Georgian agricultural sector apart in the global market," stated Mr. David Songulashvili during his speech at the FAO's 44th Conference in Rome.
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Mr. David Songulashvili, is participating in the 44th Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome as part of his official working visit.
In his remarks, Mr. Songulashvili highlighted the potential of Georgian agro-food products, with particular emphasis on Georgian wine.
"Georgia holds a unique place in the world as the birthplace of wine, with an uninterrupted 8,000-year-old tradition of wine production. The ancient method of making wine in clay vessels, which is still actively practiced today, has earned Georgia international recognition and has been honored by UNESCO. This heritage is not just a part of our past – it is a living tradition that continues to impact our economy, tourism, and cultural relations," stated Minister Songulashvili.
According to the Minister, in the modern world, where numerous global challenges exist, Georgia expresses its readiness to collaborate with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and its member states to accelerate the transformation of agro-food systems through innovation, the development of opportunities, and rural investments.
The Minister underscored the critical importance of leveraging modern knowledge and technologies, highlighting that Georgia prioritizes knowledge-driven development, the integration of advanced technologies in agriculture, and the strengthening of agro-food systems to achieve greater resilience and flexibility.
"In recent years, Georgia has taken concrete steps toward modernizing the agro-food sector. Over the past decade, we have seen consistent growth in agro-food exports, production volumes, and added value. In 2024, Georgia's agricultural food exports reached a record high of USD 1.68 billion. To support the development of an inclusive value chain and ensure that no farmer is left behind, the Georgian Government continues to implement supportive programs," stated the Minister.
The 44th Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), attended by representatives from all 194 member countries and nearly 50 ministers, focused primarily on the current state of agro-food systems and key issues surrounding future collaboration.
The Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Lasha Dolidze, accompanied Minister Songulashvili at the High-level Conference.