UNECE support for the revision of the Georgian Mining Code Act is shaping the future of resource classification and estimation standards in Georgia. During a workshop in Tbilisi participants discussed how Georgian standards could play a crucial role in harmonizing with the global dimensions of the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC).
As UNFC takes on a pivotal role in the EU’s sustainable resource management, particularly in light of the proposed EU Critical Raw Materials Act, this workshop marks a significant step towards alignment of standards across all of Europe. Importantly, it underscored that UNFC is well placed to achieve this harmonization as it demonstrated UNFC’s ability to bridge with existing classification systems such as the GKZ-like systems which given the historical use of the GKZ system in the Soviet Union, holds particular significance for former Soviet states. The event, conducted in both Georgian and English, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from the Georgian National Agency of Mineral Resources, academia, and industry, with a notable 40% female participation rate—a significant step towards gender inclusivity in the context of a just transition.
This workshop, a collaboration between the Georgian National Agency of Mineral Resources (NAMR), and UNECE presented UNFC as a vital standardized framework for estimating all Earth's resources, from minerals to energy, fostering transparency, sustainable management, and international collaboration. It has seen global adoption with translations available in multiple languages, including Georgian.
The workshop featured UNFC activities within EuropeGeoSurveys (EGS), showcasing case studies on primary and secondary raw materials in Europe. Notably, the Norwegian case study on Skaland graphite and a Hungarian gravel exploration project illustrated UNFC's adaptability to diverse projects. Furthermore, Hungary's experience in integrating UNFC into its national legislation in 2021 emphasized the trend towards data standardization and international alignment in resource management underscoring UNFC’s role in this process. The workshop also further emphasized UNFC's compatibility with other reporting standards, summarizing the bridging process between the Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards (CRIRSCO) and UNFC. A new draft of the Bridging Document is expected in 2024, reaffirming UNFC's continued relevance and adaptability to evolving industry needs.
Georgia’s proactive approach to align its resource management practices with international standards underscores its commitment to responsible resource governance contributing to resource sustainability and wider sustainability issues. UNECE has worked with the Georgian government to assess the energy consumption by small businesses in rural areas and presented recommendations to enhance food and energy resilience. In 2023, UNECE also started a project in Georgia on improving energy efficiency of the building supply chain which has also seen Georgia’s capital Tbilisi make important efforts in implementing the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, according to UNECE’s Smart Sustainable Cities Profile.