On December 15th of this year, Bakhvi HPP management and the Advisory Council on Environmental and Social Issues held their 2023 annual summary meeting.
Giorgi Abramishvili, Director of Bakhvi HPP, discussed the company's activities over the past year and plans for 2024 with the council members. He briefly reviewed the key areas Bakhvi HPP focused on in terms of social and infrastructure projects, including updates on projects like the water system construction in Vaniskedi, pre-construction work, educational programs, and the "Tea Route" program.
Regarding future plans, Giorgi Abramishvili emphasized that in 2024, alongside the start of construction, the primary focus will be on environmental protection.
At the same meeting, Bakhvi HPP's Environmental, Social, and Governance Manager, Davit Koberidze, presented the reforestation plan to the council members, reviewed employment statistics, and provided an in-depth overview of the social projects implemented in 2023. It was noted that one of the most significant and demanding areas for the company this year was the planning and execution of educational programs. For the upcoming year, the main focus will be on implementing the large-scale reforestation plan.
Communications Manager Nitsa Cholokashvili presented a report on one year of public relations and the engagment program tailored for the advisory council members. She thanked the council members for their active participation in the social projects carried out in 2023 and discussed the importance of continued collaboration in this area.
"It's been three years since Bakhvi HPP has been present in the Guria region. Looking back, we are proud of both the project itself and the social programs aimed at improving the living conditions and quality of life for the locals. I proudly note that each of our projects aligns with specific United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including access to quality education, creating decent jobs, and promoting economic growth.
Our main mission is to fulfill the promises we made to the people of Guria in 2021. In 2024, our primary focus, alongside construction, will be on maintaining high environmental standards. We will do our utmost to ensure that the HPP is built with the active participation of local residents, making it unprecedented not only for the region but for the entire country. We started this process with the full engagement of the people of Guria and are confident that it will continue successfully," stated Giorgi Abramishvili, Director of Bakhvi HPP.
The Advisory Council was established on August 5, 2021, and since then, each member has been actively involved in the development and implementation of both the project and the environmental and social programs. In 2024, council members will continue to work in the same meeting format. It is worth noting that membership is regulated by the principle of goodwill and is unpaid.