Document contains the proceedings of the workshop "Environmental Information Network in Georgia", held in Kazbegi, Georgia, 2-4 October, 1995. The workshop is the part of the Feasibility Study for the Establishment of a UNEP/GRID-Compatible National Environmental Information Network in the Georgia.
Organizers of the workshop:
UNEP/GRID-Arendal
TK-Senteret, Longum Park
P.O. Box 1602, Myrene
N-4801 Arendal, Norway
Project Responsible: Mr. Otto Simonett, Programme Manager
In conjunction with the:
Georgian Ministry of Environmental Protection
Department of Environmental Policy and International Relations
EGIS Initiative Group
68a Kostava St.
Tbilisi 380015
Republic of Georgia
Project Responsible: Ms. Mzia Gvilava, Head of Division
Costs of the Foreign Component of the workshop: US$ 4250.
The main objective of the workshop was to:
Initiate the Feasibility Study by the national workshop with the relevant Georgian institutions with environmental information management activities participating. The workshop is the starting point of the in-depth assessments of the various institution's capacities and needs.
Outputs of the workshop:
Detailed working plan for the Feasibility Study and identification of subcontracts for the development of information base for environmental decision-makers.
ENRIN Programme, coordinated by UNEP/GRID-Arendal, Norway, directed to the establishment of the Environmental and Natural Resources Information Network in support of environmental decision-makers in countries of central and eastern Europe, reached its second phase in Georgia.
UNEP/GRID-Arendal has been cooperating with the Georgian Ministry of Environmental Protection (MoEP) since February, 1994. Environmental GIS (EGIS) Initiative Group (on the basis of NGO Georgian Geoinformation Center G.INFO) was registered at the MoEP to support this cooperation. EGIS team prepared the Assessment Report "Environmental Information Systems in Georgia" in accordance with ToR and assistance provided by GRID-Arendal. The purpose of the Report was to assess the current status of the environmental information network in Georgia, identify priority needs of the network and propose activities for the improvement of environmental information framework in support of decision-making process. Assessment Report was presented at the Workshop, organized by GRID-Arendal in Moscow, Russian Federation, and this presentation marked the accomplishment of the Assessment Phase on the way of establishing UNEP/GRID-compatible environmental information network at the national level. The Report is to be published soon by GRID-Arendal.
The next step in this direction is to conduct the Feasibility Study for the establishment of the GRID type network. Outputs of this phase (duration - 6 months) should be the Feasibility Study Report and the Implementation Proposal for the future 3 to 5 year Implementation Stage of the process. Simultaneously efforts should be directed to the integration of available environmental data at different national institutions to demonstrate the possibilities of information network of the country in support of national environmental policy-makers. UNEP/GRID's approach is that networking process should be initiated by the national workshop, in which the major institutions dealing with environmental information processing should participate and present the current status of the network, exchange ideas, identify urgent needs and plan future activities.
MoEP confirmed its interest in pursuing the process of cooperation with UNEP/GRID in the official letter, sent to the GRID center in Arendal, Norway and committed the staff (EGIS Group) and in-kind support for the Feasibility Study. Naturally, success of this phase is mainly determined by the guidance and the financial assistance of GRID-Arendal ENRIN Programme. As the first step of this assistance, funds were allocated for the organization of the national workshop.
EGIS team started the Feasibility Study by organizing the workshop "Environmental Information Network in Georgia". The workshop was held in Kazbegi, Georgia at the Scientific Ecocenter of the Institute of Botany, Georgian Academy of Sciences and WWF-Georgia. Several environmental Government and non-government institutions of the Country were invited by the organizers, EGIS team of the MoEP and GRID-Arendal (list of participants is provided in Appendix B). ENRIN representatives of neighboring Trans-Caucasian countries, Armenia and Azerbaijan were also invited at the workshop. Participants received handouts (in Georgian), prepared by the EGIS team, which included the description of ENRIN Programme, information about activities of GRID-Arendal, Georgian version of the Assessment Report, list of participants and workshop programme. Participants also received in advance recommendations regarding the contents of presentations at the workshop.
Day 1, 03.10.1995, Kazbegi, Georgia
Theme of the day: Presentations of the ENRIN Programme and National Environmental Information Network of Georgia
The opening session of the workshop was conducted by Ms. Mzia Gvilava, Project Responsible, Dept. of Environmental Policy and International Relations, MoEP. She shortly reminded the audience the history of UNEP/GRID activities in Georgia and objectives of the current workshop. She thanked participants for their support, wished them interesting discussions during the workshop and invited Ms. Nino Chkhobadze, Deputy Minister, MoEP for the initial address and opening of the workshop.
Ms. Nino Chkhobadze welcomed participants form different environmental institutions and foreign guests on behalf the Georgian MoEP and stressed the importance of environmental information and its support to the decision-making process, particularly, the importance of the exploitation of modern information technology tools for obtaining, storing, processing, presenting and disseminating environmental data and information. She noticed, that the seminar should highlight the weaknesses of the current environmental information capabilities and provide the momentum for resolving problems. At the same time, she expressed the hope that participants would concentrate on practical needs of environmental decision-makers and avoid getting locked into the technical details of information systems.
Mr. Otto Simonett, Programme Manager for Eastern Europe and Developing Countries, GRID-Arendal, briefly described GRID center in Arendal and presented main aspects of UNEP's ENRIN Programme. He emphasized, that main goal of the GRID is to make available environmental information on global, regional and local levels, translate scientific data in the form, appropriate for using by decision-makers. This approaches were demonstrated on several examples, like digital elevation model of the world, map of the protected areas of the polar regions, maps from the SoE reports of Norway and Poland (GRID-Warsaw is the only operational GRID center in Central and Eastern Europe).
Speaker noted, that ENRIN Programme covers 27 countries with the area of 23 050 00 sq. km - 18 % of the worlds territories. Program is operating under the framework of Rio summit (1992) and UNEP's Environmental Assessment Programme (EAP).
The main goals of the ENRIN are:
Outputs of the ENRIN Programme are:
Strategy to achieve these goals consists of four stages: assessment, feasibility, implementation, operational.
It was noted, that apart from Poland, other countries have also made progress in the establishment of GRID compatible networks, particularly, Hungary, Baltic States, Russian Federation. Ukraine and Georgia are on the same initial stage of Feasibility Study and current workshop is part of these activities.
Several questions were raised by the participants after the presentation. They were interested in issues, like the standardization of methodologies, environmental indicators, specific features of UNEP/Infoterra, etc. Speaker noted, that much has been done in the field of standardizing environmental indicators by UNEP, World Bank, OECD and other international organizations. The Infoterra is more specialized in registering environmental organizations in its database, while GRID is more involved in geographical scope of environmental problems and is advocating the exploitation of GIS and other information technology tools and development of national environmental information infrastructure throughout the world.
Ms. Claudia Heberlein, GRID-Arendal, introduced participants into the specifications of the Feasibility Phase. She noted, that the time range of this second phase is half an year and that current workshop is the beginning of the Feasibility Study. Outputs of the Study should include:
Speaker noted, that workshop should achieve consensus among the participants on principles and needs for communication within the network, concretize what is the role of the network, identify sources of relevant information.
Mr. Mamuka Gvilava, member of the EGIS group at the MoEP, presented to the audience the Assessment Report "Environmental Information Systems in Georgia". The Report consists of following parts: executive summary, background country information, current status of national and sub-national environmental information network, general needs assessment, proposed action and possible constraints.
Speaker briefly described first two parts of the Report and considered in more detail last three chapters.
Decision-makers need environmental information for various purposes (preparation of SoE reports, environmental impact assessment, environmental audit, information dissemination, international networking) and in different forms (statistical reports, schemes, diagrams, thematic maps, etc.). There are also needs for the improvement of legislation, regulating environmental information on all levels: Constitution (adopted recently by the Parliament), general law on information (to be developed), framework environmental law (is ready for adoption), law for the management of environmental information (to be developed). Report proposes several options for financing environmental information processing activities (international assistance, in-kind contribution of the MoEP, foreign investors, private sector, local authorities, information exchange, etc.). Report also considers issues of improving institutional framework (through better coordination of relevant institutions), needs for the development of databases and information technology (registers, directories, spatial datasets, telecommunications, etc.) and training needs (information technology managers, database managers, GIS specialists, remote sensing, telecommunications, etc.).
Establishment of the special Network Coordination Unit at the Ministry was proposed in the Report to conduct the Feasibility Phase and contribute to the quick improvement in the management of country-wide environmental information management.
Several constraints were mentioned: limited use of information technology by decision-makers, possible difficulties in relations between decision-makers and environmental information managers, poor monitoring, remote sensing and hardware/software capabilities, lack of necessary legislation, insufficient level of specialists, etc.
Finally, speaker presented the draft working plan for the Feasibility Study, which could include:
Workshop continued with the presentations of the national environmental information network.
Mr. Vasil Tkeshelashvili, Deputy Director of the Oncological Center - "Effect of the Environmental Factors on the Cancer and Role of the Oncological Center in the Environmental Information Network"
According to the Committee of Experts of the World Health Organization, three quarters of cancer cases are caused by the environmental factors. For this reason, ecological factors are given highest priority during the elaboration and development of the strategy for primary prophylactics of cancer. For the prevention of cancer diseases it is important to protect the environment from the contamination by chemical and physical agents, particularly at industrial sights, energy production, urban development, food production areas. It is necessary to systematically monitor ecosystems of the country, pay attention to those factors, which affect adversely human health (pollution, professional risks, living conditions) and conduct measures directed against the pollution of the environment, production and consumption of food, causing health problems, change unhealthy life-style patterns. These issues are covered in the "National Programme of Cancer Control" and in the "Draft National Programme for the Control of Ionizing Radiation", prepared by the Oncological Center. Together with other environmental institutions it is necessary to develop relevant legislation, modify taxation policy, develop unified environmental information network. Oncological Center will actively participate in these activities.
Mr. Nugzar Zazanashvili, WWF-Georgia - "Environmental Information and Protected Territories of Georgia"
Speaker introduced briefly participants into the history of workshop venue, Ecocenter of the Institute of Botany and talk about WWF -Georgia plans of establishing similar sights in some other parts of Georgia. WWF activities in Georgia began in 1989 by the Programme of Protected Areas. In 1990 activities expanded also to the Education Programme.
According to the Programme of Protected Areas it was planed to arrange 7 national parks in Georgia. This programme initially lead to some controversy, since it covered substantial areas of the Country.
Speaker demonstrated different thematic maps of protected areas, compiled by WWF-Georgia and discussed methodologies for their production. Maps contain information about geographic features, geology, flora, fauna, etc. They are based on satellite pictures of 1989, corrected after on-sight visits. Speaker also discussed some legislative problems. Law on Protected Areas passed two hearings in the Parliament and is ready for adoption. Cabinet of Ministers approved the establishment of Borjomi National Park. It was noted, that Protected Area Management Plans, developed by WWF-Georgia, are available at the WWF-office.
Mr. Omar Antadze, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Industry - "Environmental Protection Activities and Future Goals of Enterprises under the System of the Ministry of Industry"
Speaker stressed, that critical environmental conditions in the Country require urgent actions to be undertaken. One of the important factor for tackling these problems is the network of environmental units, existing at the vast majority of industrial enterprises, belonging to the Ministry of Industry. These units are obliged to conduct so called ecological passports of enterprises, that is, periodical analysis of air and water quality, neutralization of toxic wastes, introduction of new technologies in cooperation with corresponding technological services.
The Ministry of Industry closely cooperates with the MoEP to generate documents requested by international organizations regarding the supervision and control over the transportation and storage of toxic chemicals (Basel Convention). Ministry is provided with the list of potential producers of wastes, included in the "green", "yellow" and "red" lists.
Mr. Teimuraz Chubinishvili, Institute of Scientific and Technical Information "Techinformi" - "Information Base of Techinformi"
Effectiveness of the information network, as the source of relevant information is determined by the correspondence of the accumulated information to the demand on this information. This means, that on the initial stage of the establishment of the network it is necessary to assess existing information resources in the Country (supply) and the demand on this information. Simultaneously, it should be determined if information holders are capable of providing the information in proper form.
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information has an experience of conducting these types of activities. There is also the experience of creating large-scale databases and, more important, of running these systems in the environment of wider user audience. One should mention the databases of legislative and normative documents of Georgia and other countries, complete set of EU legislation, summaries of world-wide accepted standards, norms and directives. This includes also environmental information.
Approximately 15-20 thousand queries are requested per year. Information is available on more then 5000 organizations. Relatively modern technological tools are used, including CD-ROM.
In response to the questions of participants speaker remarked, that generally, provision of information is not free of charge, but several organizations are serviced without payment, for example, the Parliament and its Commissions, schools, MoEP, etc. Services are provided on the contractual bases and terms of these contracts regulate conditions of information provision. This approach is useful in the absence of general laws, regulating information exchange.
Mr. Malkhaz Dzneladze, Head of Dept. of Environmental Policy and International Relations, MoEP - "Environmental Information and the Policy of the MoEP"
Speaker described the two levels of official information: sectoral information and State statistical information. Usually the sectoral information (e.g. agricultural, industrial, health, etc.) used to stay within relevant sectoral institutions and only general figures were published in State statistical reports. In the Soviet period environmental information was strictly controlled and not available for general public.
Environmental information could be subdivided into following classes: the information characterizing the state of the environment, the information on natural resources and the information on policy and decision-making. Naturally, the environmental information should be accessible and free, but it is difficult to require the same from private sources of information. The problem of accessibility of the information could only be solved through the involvement of the public in the decision-making process (though, some restrictions will always take place in the case of sensitive information).
Unfortunately, insufficient level of the legislation makes it difficult to use rationally all the available information at different institutions. That is why the MoEP is interested in the development of national environmental information network.
Mr. Gia Sopadze, Dept. of Cartography and Geoinformatics, Tbilisi State University - "Perspectives of Environmental Monitoring in Georgia"
Current developments in Georgia allows to establish integrated network of stationary and semi-stationary network of monitoring. It would be necessary as a first step to create coordinating center, where all the information from the observatories, stationaries and stations has to be collected.
The structure could have the following form: regional center - stationary - station.
Functions of these units are:
There exist the methodology for information gathering and routines for data processing, captured from stationaries. At least 20 stationaries and 120 semi-stationaries are necessary for the whole territory of Georgia. Stationaries should be created on the basis of first category meteorological end hydrological stations, where observations should be conducted according to new program.
Geoecological expertise of stations is necessary for the inter and extrapolation of obtained data.
Captured data should be transferred to center in order to process and distribute among users in the form of maps and tables.
Mr. Malkhaz Khurtsidze, EGIS Group at the MoEP - "Review of Internet Resources in Georgia"
There are three major providers of telecommunication services in Georgia: "Iberiapac" (packet commutation network), "Kheta" (internet node) and "Mimosi" (internet network).
"Iberiapac" provides following services: on-line data transfer, direct access to remote resources, e-mail and file transfer, facsimile communication, telephone and telex communication. This is biggest and state run company.
"Kheta" provides e-mail access to the internet.
"Mimosi" is capable of providing full spectrum of internet: on-line access, including telnet, e-mail, ASCII and binary file transfer protocol (ftp), World Wide Web (WWW), Gopher, etc.
World Bank is financing the project, which aims to connect Government institutions directly to internet. Unfortunately, MoEP, Ministry of Health and some other institutions are not included in the network on this stage.
Speaker also put forward certain considerations regarding technical aspects of national environmental information system: assessment of the existing computational resources, development of unified hardware/software strategy, define hierarchical structure of information systems, development of telecommunication infrastructure in regions of Georgia, accomplishment of environmental information flow via electronic networks, improved communication with world-wide systems, etc.
Mr. Alexander Chakhunashvili, NGO International Telecommunications and Information Center - "ITIC Goals and Activities"
Long-term objective of the ITIC is to strengthen environmental NGO movement in Georgia by providing assistance and training in the field of telecommunications and information technology. Currently they provide e-mail services to several NGO's free of charge, organize training courses in computing and English, compile Georgian NGO directory, prepare for developing Trans-Caucasian telecommunication network, publish monthly NGO newsletter, called "Root" (English and Georgian versions). Publication contains also information on NGO movements in Armenia and Azerbaijan (in Russian). Organization maintains links with international NGO 's.
Mr. Gia Abramia, Dept. of Environmental Policy and International Relations, MoEP - "Environmental Legislation in Georgia"
Speaker reviewed following issues: general environmental legislation (major legislative acts, Government decrees, decisions and orders; Ministerial decrees and orders); environmental liability (water, air, soil, waste); legislation regulating natural and anthropogenic damage to the environment, international legislation (conventions, agreements), ecological sanctions and fees, systematization of information on environmental legislation.
Mr. Niko Pirtskhalashvili, Imereti Regional Committee, MoEP - "Needs for Environmental Information in Imereti Region of Georgia"
Imereti region consists of 11 districts and the Regional Committee has its representative in each of these districts. The information from districts is collected and presented to the Committee and then transferred to the MoEP. The Ministry collects similar information from other Committees and results of the analysis is distributed among the Regional Committees. Local bodies should strengthen their ability of initial processing of the data and improve communication links with the Ministry. It is even difficult to have reliable telephone links with central authorities. Information is typically provided in the form of reports twice per month.
Mr. Andrei Kandaurov, Institute of Zoology, Georgian Academy of Sciences - "Development of Zoological Database"
It was proposed to develop the "Cadaster of Fauna of Georgia". Following steps has to be undertaken to achieve this objective:
First day of the workshop ended with the discussion on presentations of different institutions. Discussions concentrated on defining priority topics for Working Groups. It was decided to form three Working Groups. Mr. Otto Simonett finalized the session proposing topics for the next day of the workshop and asked participants to concentrate on following issues:
Group 1:
a) What kind of information is important for decision-making to
have; prioritized list of information needed?
b) What kinds of institutional improvements are needed?
Group 2:
Funding mechanisms, which information should be free and which not?
Group 3:
Role of international organizations, what is their status, what do you expect form international environmental organizations?
Day 2, 04.10.1995, Kazbegi, Georgia
Theme of the day: Presentations of Working Groups on Priority Topics, Technical Presentations. Each Group was given 15 minutes for presentation and another 15 minutes for answering questions.
Results of the discussion in the Group 1 (information needs of decision-makers) was presented by Mr. Malkhaz Khurtsidze:
Information plays the major role in the environmental management. Effective decision-making by Government authorities and organizations depends on the effectiveness of the information services (speed, correctness and periodicity). In order to avoid chaotic and incompatible formation of the information infrastructure, it is necessary to identify priority types of information for decision-making and organize it as the hierarchy of certain blocks. Group 1 discussed these issues and finalized its considerations in a form of chart ( see Fig. 1). It was proposed to subdivide the needed information into three classes: phys-geographical, economical and social. Naturally , it would be more realistic to start accomplishing this picture on a step by step basis and according to the sequence as it is mentioned. Prioritized list of items, included in the Fig. 1 are as follows:
These informational blocks also define flow of data and information between different hierarchies. It should have horizontal components (several institutions were mentioned in this regard, like MoEP, Ministries of Agriculture and Food, Industry, Economy, Social Welfare, Health, Department of Statistics, Hydrometeorology, Land Resources and Land Cadaster, etc.), as well as vertical (meaning Regional and City Committees of the MoEP and local Government bodies).
Provision of data is an expensive process. Ministries and other government institutions often duplicate their efforts in obtaining the needed data from the same sources due to the lack of coordination of activities. Apart from concerted approach, reduction of the costs encountered could be achieved via exploitation of modern tools for information generation, transfer and processing. Existing infrastructure is capable of organizing better communication via electronic networks. Better coordination within the environmental information network of the Country and use of appropriate technology for processing and presenting data could improve considerably the availability of meaningful information for environmental decision-making.
Discussions after the presentation raised some issues, like the importance of the information regarding the Black Sea (Mr. Khurtsidze responded, that coastal regions of the country should be given priority to test the effectiveness of this type national information base), necessity to incorporate the information on legislation, standards, norms, scientific publications and bibliography, etc. It was reiterated, that the legislation, regulating the information exchange is urgently needed.
Mr. Gia Sopadze presented the ideas, developed by the Group 2 (financing):
The Group identified different mechanisms for financing environmental information exchange: State budget, local budget, private sector, self-financing (when allocated State budget is not enough), international assistance.
Following types of information exchange were mentioned: information provision on cost recover basis (full costs of information provision, or partial payment only for the extraction of the information), free of charge, exchange of information. It was noted, that in the absence of the regulating legislation, contractual agreements should include terms of the payment.
During the discussions one of the participants stressed, that when charging for information it is important to consider who is the supplier of information and who is the consumer. Mr. Otto Simonett added, that in developed countries with developed information market the cost of the information is more or less determined, but for countries in transition, like Georgia, when charging for information, it is necessary to consider the interplay between the manpower resources and time involved for the information generation and clients of this information. There should be differentiated approach to consumers and their ability to pay for the same information.
Mr. Alexander Chakhunashvili, Group 3, presented results on discussion, concerning technical issues and cooperation with international organizations:
Relations with international organizations could provide assistance in many different aspects and contribute to the development of national environmental information network. Among the issues, proposed by the Group are:
Discussions after the presentation concentrated on technical issues and tools necessary for managing environmental information. Application of GIS and database technology is best suited for the analysis and display of environmental information. At the same time, participants confirmed, that information exists at different institutions and objective of the networking approach is to exploit this information and make it usable for decision-makers.
Next the EGIS Group performed the technical presentation of the small-scale GIS system. MAPINFO software was used to explain participants basic principles of GIS. Different digital thematic maps were demonstrated: hydrographical and administrative map of Caucasus (scale 1 / 500 000), hydrographical and administrative maps of Georgia and its regions with smallest administrative units (scale 1 / 200 000), population density, land use, etc. Technology allows the easy extraction of needed information, complex analysis of spatial patterns. Presentation demonstrated the extraction of information on land taxation from the database and visualization of data using GIS. It was noted, that absence of necessary hardware limits the capabilities of generating more realistic information. More advanced software is needed to improve the quality of information. At the same time, for many participant this was the first acquaintance with GIS and they expressed the interest in wider application of GIS tools for visualization of their own data.
Plenary Discussion was followed by the Wrap-up and Formulation of Results (see next section). The workshop ended with final addresses of Mr. Otto Simonett, Ms. Nino Chkhobadze, Mr. Telman Ismailov, Ms. Julieta Gabrielian, Mr. Vasil Tkeshelashvili, Mr. Malkhaz Khurtsidze and Ms .Mzia Gvilava. It was emphasized, that workshop proceeded in the working atmosphere, valuable discussions took place between the representatives of the MoEP and other related institutions. Priorities were defined more clearly for the Feasibility Study. It was noticed, that this sort of meetings help resolve the issues, which sometimes need months to tackle.
Participants expressed the desire to continue activities for the establishment of UNEP/GRID-compatible Environmental Information Network in Georgia, initiated by the Assessment Phase and EGIS Group of the MoEP was asked to generate Feasibility Study Report and prepare Implementation Proposal in accordance with the discussions on the workshop.
Priority information requirements of the MoEP was clearly defined and implementation sequence determined. It was proposed to develop the database and GIS structure in compliance of needs of the decision-makers.
Development of legislation for the management of environmental information should be given high priority.
Components of the working plan for the Feasibility Study, proposed by the EGIS Group were considered as acceptable and EGIS Group was asked to develop detailed plan for the production of :
It is expected that EGIS group will contact and discuss the activities to be conducted with other relevant environmental information institutions in Georgia, in particular with the workshop participants to accomplish these tasks.
The EGIS group should make contacts with possible donors in Georgia.
Until the workshop, the EGIS group had only an unofficial status within the MoEP. Official contract defining rights and responsibilities of the EGIS group towards the MoEP is to be developed, as determined during the workshop.
In preparation for a large-scale Implementation Phase, an Memorandum of Understanding between the Georgian Ministry of Environmental Protection and UNEP needs to be signed. EGIS Group will write a draft and find out about the responsible persons for this kind of agreement.
It was recommended to share the experience of existing GRID centers in other countries and shape the environmental information network of the Country in compliance with international standards.
Priority hardware/software and telecommunications needs were identified for the MoEP and other environmental institutions (Internet Access, ARC/INFO, Mapinfo, etc.).
Desire was expressed to organize similar meeting on a regular basis and disseminate proceedings and relevant documents to wider audience to involve the broad spectrum of institutions into the environmental information network of the Country .
Workshop Programme
Day 0, Oct. 2: Registration and Travel to Kazbegi
9.00 Registration
10.00 Travel to Kazbegi
Day 1, Oct. 3: Presentations of UNEP Programme and Environmental Information Network in Georgia
9.00-9.30 Initial Addresses (Ms. Nino Chkhobadze, Deputy Minister, Georgian MoEP; Otto Simonett, Programme Manager, UNEP/GRID-Arendal)
9.30-10.00 Introduction to ENRIN Programme (Mr. Otto Simonett, GRID-Arendal)
10.00-10.15 Specifications of Feasibility Study (Ms. Claudia Heberlein, GRID-Arendal)
10.15-10.45 Presentation of the Assessment Report (Mr. Mamuka Gvilava, EGIS, MoEP)
10.45-11.00 Effect of the Environmental Factors on the Cancer and Role of the Oncological Center in the Environmental Information Network (Mr. Vasil Tkeshelashvili, Oncological Center)
11.00-11.30 Coffee break
11.30-11.45 Environmental Information and Protected Territories of Georgia (Mr. Nugzar Zazanashvili, WWF-Georgia)
11.45-12.00 Environmental Protection Activities and Future Goals of Enterprises under the System of the Ministry of Industry (Mr. Omar Antadze, Ministry of Industry)
12.00-12.15 Information Base of "Techinformi" (Mr. Teimuraz Chubinishvili, Center for Scientific and Technical Information "Techinformi")
12.15-12.45 Environmental Information and the Policy of the MoEP (Mr. Malkhaz Dzneladze, Head of Dept. of Environmental Policy and Foreign Relations, MoEP )
12.45-13.00 Perspectives of Environmental Monitoring in Georgia (Mr. George Sopadze, Dept. of Geoinformatics, Tbilisi State University)
13.00-13.45 Discussion
13.45-14.45 Break
14.45-15.15 Review of Internet Resources in Georgia (Mr. Mamuka Khurtsidze, EGIS, MoEP)
15.15-15.30 Environmental Legislation in Georgia (Mr. G. Abramia, Dept. of Environmental Policy and Foreign Relations, MoEP)
15.30-15.45 Needs for Environmental Information in Imereti Region of Georgia (Mr. Niko Pirtskhalashvili, Imereti Regional Committee, MoEP)
15.45-16.00 ITIC Goals and Activities (Mr. Alexander Chakhunashvili, NGO International Telecommunications and Information Center)
16.00-16.15 Development of Zoological Database (Mr. Andrei Kandaurov, Institute of Zoology, Georgian Academy of Sciences)
16.15-16.45 Coffee break
16.45-18.00 Discussion
Day 2, Oct. 4: Discussions on Priority Topics and Technical Presentation
9.00-11.30 Discussions in Working Groups on Priority Topics
11.30 - 12.00 Presentation Group One
12.00 - 12.30 Presentation Group Two
12.30 - 13.00 Presentation Group Three
13.00 - 13.30 Discussion
13.30 - 14.30 Break
14.30 - 15.30 Technical Presentation of Small-Scale GIS (Mr. Malkhaz Khurtsidze, EGIS, MoEP)
15.30 - 16.30 Plenary Discussion
16.30 - 17.00 Wrap-up and Formulation of Results
17.00 - 17.30 Closing of the Workshop
18.00 Reception
List of Participants
1. Mr. Otto Simonett - GRID-Arendal, Programme Manager
2. Ms. Claudia Heberlein, GRID-Arendal, Project Manager
3. Mr. Julieta Gabrielian, Armenian MoEP
4. Mr. Telman Ismailov, Azerbaijanian MoEP
5. Ms. Nino Chkhobadze - Deputy Minister, Georgian MoEP
6. Ms. Mzia Gvilava, Division of Environmental Policy, MoEP
7. Mr. Vasil Tkeshelashvili, Oncology Center
8. Mr. Nugzar Zazanashvili, NGO WWF-Georgia
9. Mr. Merab Machavariani, Dept. of Biodiversity, MoEP
10. Mr. Teimuraz Chubinishvili, Center for Scientific and Technical
Information "Techinformi"
11. Mr. Omar Antadze, Ministry of Industry
12. Mr. Malkhaz Dzneladze, Dept. of Environmental Policy and Foreign
Relations, MoEP
13. Mr. Alexander Chakhunashvili, NGO ITIC
14. Mr. Niko Pirtskhalashvili, Imereti Regional Committee, MoEP
15. Mr. Gia Sopadze, Dept. of Geoinformatics, Tbilisi State University
16. Mr. Gia Abramia, Division of International Relations, MoEP
17. Mr. David Asatiani, Tbilisi State University
18. Mr. Andrei Kandaurov, Institute of Zoology, Georgian Academy
of Sciences
19. Ms. Tamar Bakuradze, EGIS, MoEP
20. Mr. Mamuka Gvilava, EGIS, MoEP
21. Mr. Mamuka Khurtsidze, EGIS, MoEP
22. Ms. Manana Kurtubadze, EGIS, MoEP
Last updated 10 April, 1996 by Lorant Czaran /