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• United Nations Day: Celebrating the SDGs

  

  Georgia celebrated United Nations Day with a variety of events this week.

  This year’s UN Day observance centered around the Sustainable Development Goals - a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity in the spirit of Leaving No One Behind.

  A special panel discussion “From Economic Growth to Shared Prosperity: Reality Check after the SDG Summit and Vision for the Future” focused onGeorgia’s progress on decent jobs creation and decentralization and discussed forward-looking strategies for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and provision of equal opportunities for all. The panel discussion brought together government officials, think tanks, civil society, academia, the private sector and other stakeholders to facilitate discussion on how to ensure that economic models and policy processes are revamped at scale for SDG acceleration and for transforming Georgia’s economic growth at the macroeconomic level into shared prosperity. The diversity of involved individuals enriched the dialogue and the exchange of perspectives. Speaking at the event, United Nations Resident Coordinator Sabine Machl noted that economic growth is not an end goal in itself, but one of enablers of meaningful improvements in the lives of people, including reducing poverty and achieving other development goals. She  highlighted the urgent need for action and collaboration to achieve the SDGs.

  The central focus of another panel discussion organized by the United Nations in Georgia in partnership with the Georgian-American University (GAU) and the Kant’s Academy has revolved around SDG 4 – quality education. UN Resident Coordinator Sabine Machl, President of the Georgian-American University (GAU) R. Michael Cowgill, and prominent representatives of the Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Ilia State University, Caucasus University, and the University of Georgia took stock of where we are in terms of progress towards SDG 4, shared knowledge about good practices and suggested ways forward to expedite the SDG achievement. The discussion highlighted that there is so much more that can be done to promote sustainable development through stronger engagement  between higher education institutions.

  The role of young people in accelerating efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals was the primary focus of the discussion between UN Resident Coordinator, Sabine Machl and members of the youth organization ‘Civic Engagement and Activism Center’ held at the UN House in Tbilisi.

  In celebration of UN Day, the United Nations in Georgia also unveiled the multifunctional SDG Spaces at the Gori State Teaching University and the Georgian-American University (GAU). The initiative implemented in partnership with the Education and International Development Academy and the Kant’s Academy aims at empowering young people with the skills and opportunities to advance their vision of a sustainable future.

• Borrell visits EU Monitoring Mission to Georgia to highlight its 15-year presence in the country

  On 8 September, during his visit to Georgia, EU High Representative Josep Borrell met with observers of the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia to mark the 15th anniversary of the mission’s presence in the country.

  “EUMM’s presence over the past 15 years stands as a testament to the EUs long-term commitment to fostering peace and security in Georgia and the wider region. For a decade and a half, the EUMM has played a pivotal role in ensuring stability and reducing tensions in this region,” said Borrell. “The EU’s dedication to fostering regional peace and stability in the South Caucasus region remains resolute.”

  Borrell joined an EUMM patrol to the South Ossetian Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) near Khurvaleti. In Khurvaleti, Borrell witnessed first-hand the negative impact of border structures, including fences, barbed wire and watchtowers, on the freedom of movement of the local population. EUMM observers described the complex problems arising from the closure of the crossing points on the South Ossetian section of the ABL during the first twenty days of each month.

  “Had the opportunity to see the Administrative Boundary Line and to talk to affected people on the ground. They are the ones who pay the highest price of this conflict,” Borrell wrote on X (former Twitter) after the visit.

  Find out more

  Press release

• ‘Crucial time for Georgian future’: Borrell comes to Tbilisi to discuss country’s European path

  EU High Representative Josep Borrell, visiting Georgia today, held a series of meetings on EU-Georgia co-operation and Georgia’s European perspective.

  Speaking at his first press conference yesterday after arriving in Tbilisi, Borrel said this was “a crucial time” for Georgia’s future because in a few weeks, the European Union would consider the next steps in Georgia’s path to the European Union and, for the first time, the report on Georgia’s progress as an enlargement country. 

  “I want to be very clear in that important moment: the European Union’s door is open to Georgia and the European Union is committed to supporting Georgia on its path towards European Union membership,” said Borrell.

  Today, Borrell met Salome Zourabichvili, President of Georgia, to discuss Georgia’s path to the EU, as well as the regional security situation. 

  He also met Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili to “pass three messages”: “time must be used wisely now to advance reforms”, the EU welcomes Georgia’s support for Ukraine, and it remains steadfast in its support for Georgia’s territorial integrity.

  The EU High Representative visited the Georgian Parliament to meet the representatives of all the political parties present in the Parliament. At the meeting, Borrell said that “polarisation is part of political life, but needs to be measured. All political parties must cooperate to advance the reform agenda”.

  Finally, Borrell had an “important meeting” and “useful dialogue” with civil society representatives in Georgia. “Impressed by their work. Ensuring involvement of CSOs in the decision-making processes at all levels is key,” wrote Borrell on X (formerly Twitter) after the meeting.

  Tomorrow, the High Representative will visit the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia and participate in mission activities along the Administrative Boundary Line, organised by the EUMM.

  Find out more

  Press release

• VIDEO/Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili hosts dinner in honor of Josep Borrell

  Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili hosted a dinner in honor of Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission.

  The dinner honoring Josep Borrell was served on Mtatsminda. The Head of Government and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy discussed Georgia’s European integration in an informal setting.

  Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, arrived in Tbilisi on September 7.

  Within the scope of the visit, both face-to-face and extended-format meetings between Irakli Garibashvili and Josep Borrell are scheduled, to be followed by a joint press conference.

  Press Service of the Government Administration

   

• High Representative Josep Borrell travels to Georgia

  The EU High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell will travel to Georgia on 7-8 September. His first official visit to the country in the current capacity will provide the opportunity to discuss progress on Georgia’s European integration path, and exchange views on wider foreign policy and regional matters.

  During the visit, the High Representative will be received by Salome Zourabichvili, President of Georgia. The HR/VP will also meet Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili. Following the meeting with the Prime Minister, a joint press conference will be held.

  He will also hold a meeting with Ilia Darchiashvili, Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs. The HR/VP will also take the opportunity to meet with representatives of all political parties present in the Parliament and hold discussions with civil society representatives.

  The HR/VP will during his visit mark 15 years of EUMM presence in Georgia, reflecting the EU’s commitment to Georgia’s security and peaceful conflict resolution. He will participate in mission activities along the Administrative Boundary Line, organised by the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM).

  Follow also @JosepBorrellF and @eu_eeas for further information.