Caucasus has lost 40% of its glaciers: Georgian premier

The Caucasus region, with its rich nature, has lost 40% of its glaciers due to climate change, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said late Monday.

Speaking at the 26th edition of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP26, in Glasgow, Scotland, Garibashvili expressed great satisfaction to be part of the event on behalf of Georgia.

Garibashvili noted that climate change has caused serious damage to the nature of Georgia and the Caucasus region in general.

"The Caucasus, known for its beautiful mountains, glaciers and rivers, has already lost 40% of its glaciers.

“During the last two decades alone, the speed of glacier loss in eastern Georgia has exceeded projections,” he said.

Mentioning that all countries should fight as effectively as possible to avoid global natural disasters, he stressed that “we fully share the alarm presented by the UN Secretary-General's latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that declared a ‘code red for humanity.’”

Garibashvili underlined that the results of the conference are extremely critical for the whole world.

"Georgia is looking forward to the bold and far-reaching results of this summit, which will significantly advance our common climate goal and help us to emerge from the [COVID-19] pandemic with greener, stronger and safer outcomes than ever before.”

*Writing by Merve Berker