The recently concluded SMART Global Congress 2024, held from 9th to 14th March in Namibia, served as a significant platform for global collaboration and knowledge exchange in the realm of conservation technology. Among the esteemed participants were delegates from various nations, including a dedicated contingent from Georgia. The congress was attended by 300 participants from 110 countries worldwide.
Georgia’s journey as a success story in the deployment of SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) at the national level was presented during one of the sessions. This case study provided valuable insights into the effective implementation of SMART technologies in the conservation efforts of the country.
Caucasus Nature Fund’s (CNF) Program Manager Levan Tabunidze participated in the panel discussion on “Scaling up SMART on National Level” and offered a platform to share Georgia’s experiences and strategies alongside representatives from different countries.
Notably, CNF played a pivotal role in supporting the participation of other Georgian representatives in the SMART Global Congress. Among the attendees were Toma Dekanoidze, Deputy Head of the Agency of Protected Areas, along with SMART officers Zurab Gelashvili and Maradi Iakoadze, both employees of the Agency. Their presence underscored Georgia’s commitment to leveraging innovative technologies for conservation management. The participation of APA central office and Machakhela PA administration representatives was supported by the UNDP/GEF supported project “Enhancing Financial Sustainability of PA System of Georgia” carried out by CNF. More detailed information on SMART related activities supported by UNDP/GEF project can be viewed at the following link https://www.caucasus-naturefund.org/a-success-story-of-conservation-and-technology-integration/
The congress proved to be an invaluable opportunity for Georgia to glean insights from the experiences of other nations and gain a deeper understanding of the capabilities and best practices of SMART programs worldwide. The exchange of ideas and lessons learned will undoubtedly contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of conservation efforts in Georgia and beyond.
As Georgia continues to harness the power of SMART technologies in its conservation endeavors, the learnings and connections forged at the SMART Global Congress will serve as catalysts for further progress and collaboration in the preservation of our natural heritage.
