The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. David Songulashvili, introduced two new Deputies of the  Minister: Mr.  Lasha Avaliani and Mr. Zurab Ezugbaia, to the Ministry’s staff. The Minister wished them success and emphasized that their experience and vision will further strengthen and energize the Ministry’s activities.

Mr. Lasha Avaliani holds a Doctorate in Parasitology and graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Agricultural University of Georgia. Mr. Avaliani brings extensive experience from the public, private, and international sectors. From 2015 to 2019, he headed the Veterinary Department at the National Food Agency under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture. Later, he served as Deputy Chief of Party in the USDA-funded project "Investing in Safe and Quality Livestock." Mr. Avaliani will assume his new role as Deputy Minister on September 22, 2025.

Mr. Zurab Ezugbaia graduated from the Faculty of Law at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University and has long-standing experience in both the public and private sectors. He has worked at the State Chancellery of Georgia, the Parliament of Georgia, the Georgian State Electrosystem, and the Oil and Gas Corporation. He also held various senior positions at the Ministry of Justice, including serving as Deputy Minister of Justice from 2001 to 2003. Mr. Ezugbaia began his duties as Deputy Minister on September 3, 2025.