Otar Shamugia delivers remarks at the Ministerial meeting commemorating the International Organization of Vine and Wine's (OIV) 100th anniversary.

Otar Shamugia delivers remarks at the Ministerial meeting commemorating the International Organization of Vine and Wine's (OIV) 100th anniversary.

The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Mr. Otar Shamugia, participated in the Ministerial meeting held by the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) in the city of Brescia, Republic of Italy. Ministers and high-ranking officials from 40 countries attended the event.

" Georgia participates in the Ministerial meeting in Italy as a candidate for EU membership. I would emphasize with pride that the candidate status is a worthy accomplishment for our country. Our primary political goal is to achieve full membership in the European Union and I am confident that we will undoubtedly achieve this goal for the benefit of ourselves and future generations", said Mr. Otar Shamugia in his speech.

The Minister underlined the importance of viticulture and winemaking in Georgia and spoke extensively about the winemaking development policy.

"We have 8,000 years of continuous history of viticulture and winemaking. Viticulture and winemaking is one of the leading branches of our economy. The right policy implemented by the state in recent years has significantly strengthened the sector: new vineyards have been planted-currently reaching 50 thousand hectares. Up to 2700 new enterprises have been established. Special attention is paid to the quality of Georgian wine. We consider high quality and distinctive taste qualities as the main calling card for our wine. Every year, on average, 100 million liters of quality Georgian wine is exported to 70 countries worldwide, which is becoming increasingly popular and in high demand," said the Minister.

As stated by Mr. Shamugia, the Ministerial provides a good opportunity to share visions and ways to overcome the challenges faced by the viticulture sector.

In 2024, the International Organization of Vine and Wine celebrates its 100th anniversary with various events, including the Ministerial, which was organized for the first time by the OIV. Representatives of wine-producing countries jointly addressed the top priorities of the viticulture sector, including the adoption of sustainable production practices, genetic diversity of planting material and the impact of climate change on producing quality products.

Research and analysis of new market prospects, the balance between demand and supply, and, of course, raising public awareness of wine values and its traditions, which should ensure continuous demand for quality wine, remain a significant challenge for wine-producing countries.

Georgia's enduring partnership with the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV), spanning several decades, is extremely important.

Notably, Georgia has hosted OIV's International Vineyard-Winemaking Forum twice - in 1962 for the 33rd International Congress and in 2010 for the 8th General Assembly of OIV. This deep-rooted collaboration is further evidenced by the inclusion of 8 Georgian wines in the prestigious list of special wines of OIV.

The Chairman of the National Wine Agency, Mr. Levan Mekhuzla, and the Consulate General of Georgia in Milan, Mrs. Natalia Kordzaia, accompanied the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture at the Ministerial meeting in the Republic of Italy.

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