The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation has granted the status of biosphere reserves to two Georgian territories in a first for the South Caucasus region, following a Government submission of the Dedoplistskaro and Three Alazani reserves last year.

The granting of the status to the locations prompted Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili to celebrate the “international recognition” of the areas in the south-east and east of the country.

Garibashvili said the recognition would have a “positive impact” on economic and social situation in the region and “promote” Georgia’s business and tourism potential, the Government Administration said on Wednesday. He also noted the work for achieving the result had begun back in 2015 with a study on the potential for the establishment and development of a biosphere reserve in Georgia.

UNESCO approved the nomination submitted by the Government of Georgia last year without remarks, with the country becoming the first in the region to have its territories distinguished with the status.

Nominations were prepared with the financial support of the German Government, the Mikhail Zhukov Foundation, the German Agency for International Cooperation and the European Union, in cooperation with the Caucasus Regional Environmental Centre.

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