Automatic Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station Inaugurated in Akhaltsikhe
Environmental pollution monitoring
To enhance air quality monitoring, a new automatic station has been added to the ambient air monitoring network in Akhaltsikhe city.
The new automatic air quality monitoring station was purchased in the framework of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture’s project 'Save the Nature - Georgia', which is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The new station was inaugurated by Mr. Vasil Gedevanishvili, Head of the National Environmental Agency, and Ms. Anna Lyberg, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Sweden to Georgia.
The Head of the National Environmental Agency discussed the need to strengthen the country's ambient air quality monitoring capabilities and noted that the support of international partners is particularly important for ensuring the expansion of the monitoring network.
"The National Environmental Agency, with the support of the Swedish government, continues to expand the air quality monitoring network across the country. Ambient air quality is monitored continuously. Starting today, we will be able to receive air quality data from the Akhaltsikhe station. With the support of our partners, we will be able to fulfill international obligations and, at the same time, significantly increase access to air quality data that is important for our population," stated Mr. Vasil Gedevanishvili.
The Ambassador of Sweden to Georgia highlighted the productive and fruitful cooperation between the two countries and noted that, through joint efforts, it will be possible to improve air quality and the overall environmental situation in Georgia.
"It is important to note that, in accordance with EU directives, an air quality monitoring network is being developed in Georgia, comprising both mobile and stationary stations. As a result, the availability of air quality data is increasing. Along with this, data is transparent and open to all. Cooperation between our countries continues to yield more results," stated Ambassador Anna Lyberg.
The inauguration was attended by Khatuna Zaldastanishvili, Head of the Environmental Program at the Swedish Embassy, Besik Amiranashvili, State Representative in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, and representatives from international organizations and local self-governments.
As the State Representative in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, Besik Amiranashvili, noted, the opening of the new station is particularly important for the region, so that the population has complete information about air quality.
It should be noted that 8 automatic and 1 mobile station were added within the framework of the "Save the Nature - Georgia" project to the existing 7 automatic and 2 mobile stations across the country. The data received from the new stations will be gradually available on the agency's portal at www.air.gov.ge.
