PARTICIPANTS OF MEETING ORGANIZED BY WWF AND CEPF REACH
PINNACLE OF MT. KAZBEGI
27-09-2006 18:15:00 | Armenia | Social
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN. World Wide Fund for
Nature (WWF) Caucasus PO and Critical Partnership Ecosystem Fund
(CEPF) organized and conducted the first regional Caucasus
Grantees' Meeting in Juta, Georgia (Great Caucasus Corridor),
September 5-13, 2006. The format of the meeting was informal and
it was aimed at bringing together the various partners and
stakeholders in presenting positive outcomes and mutual
accomplishments achieved in Caucasus regional conservation
initiatives thus far.
According to the report submitted to NT from WWF, during
the first two years of grant-making programme implementation
that totals 5.3 million USD for small and large grants was
allocated to 75 NGOs. A special environmental camp was set up in
the highlands of Juta, Kazbegi Mountains, where scientists and
biodiversity conservationists who represent 35 NGOs and
institutions from five countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia,
Russian Federation and Turkey came together to discuss their
individual and collective achievements. They also shared their
research findings and field experiences.
Informal presentations showcased the activities carried out
in each country for the conservation of Caucasian biodiversity.
Representatives from different NGOs, and media outlets as well
as representatives of WWF and CEPF participated in the event. It
was a great opportunity to share experiences and exchange
information and results on the projects completed and/or the
ones in-progress and to be implemented in the future.
According to WWF report, this event allowed participants to
establish friendly and professional relationships to strengthen
the liaison among the stakeholders in the conservation field, to
exchange ideas and propose solutions that will address shared
regional conservation challenges.
Participants also had a unique chance to visit some of the
most beautiful places of the Greater Caucasus. The group hiked
to Chaukhi Gorge, which peaks reach 3100 m above sea level; and
the next day enjoyed a drive through Truso Gorge where the river
Terek starts its flow before concluding their tour at the
Dariali Gorge bordering Russia.
September 11, 2006 was celebrated by the paramount event of
a joint effort by journalists and various conservation experts
in reaching the pinnacle of Mt. Kazbegi Galcier and planting the
WWF and CEPF partnership banner.