Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Levan Davitashvili congratulated the representatives of the postal sector of Georgia on the Professional Day - World Post Day.

“Every year on October 9, the international community celebrates the World Post Day, which once again reminds us of the role of the postal sector in the daily lives of people and businesses. At the same time, it is important in terms of raising awareness about the contribution of mail to the social and economic development of countries.

I want to thank each of you for your work – the postal sector is one of the largest employers in the country, and most importantly, it is associated with quality services and services, which, of course, is available due to your contribution.

The theme of this year’s World Post Day is "Post for the Planet", which emphasizes the role of the postal sector as a global player in the delivery of goods and essential services in the face of global warming and climate change, as Post is best positioned to be one of the pioneers in the entire global supply chain for its partners and Introduce new approaches to ameliorate the effects of climate change.

Postal sector globally employs millions of people working in more than 600 000 offices in over two hundred countries. Hundreds of billions of mails circulate each year. There is no doubt that the postal sector and its partners have a responsibility to take action to reduce carbon emissions.

We express our hope that the employees of the postal sector, with joint efforts, will continue to ensure the innovative development and improvement of postal services at a high rate, thus making an invaluable contribution to the healthy development of the world climate.

I wish you success in your personal life and professional activities,” – is said in the congratulation address.

EU and UNDP help introduce youth work in schools and vocational colleges  

TBILISI. 12 August 2022 – On the path to creating a high-performing educational system, Georgia introduces new educational models and tools to inspire young people to study hard and strive for professional success. These efforts aim to improve youth education and close the gaps between Georgia and the European countries in the areas related to youth participation and engagement.

For now, around 34 percent of Georgian youth are not engaged in employment, education or training (NEET), compared to 13 percent on average in the EU. Youth unemployment in some of Georgia’s regions exceeds 40 percent (13.3 percent on average in the EU). Only five percent of Georgian secondary school graduates choose to enter vocational education programmes (48 percent in the EU).

To help Georgia make education more responsive to the needs and aspirations of young people, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) support the Ministry of Education and Science to introduce a concept of youth work in schools and vocational colleges. The initiative is implemented in partnership with ‘Sunny House’, a non-governmental youth organization.

In 2022, a new cohort of 18 youth workers went through professional training to join nine schools and vocational colleges across Georgia. Youth workers took a lead in establishing youth clubs at the educational institutions and arranging non-formal learning programmes.   

In July and August, over 100 young people – high-school or college students, engaged in enjoyable and interactive educational activities organised by youth workers with EU and UNDP support.

In Kachreti, ‘Aisi’ community college grounds turned into a magical world of lost treasures where students had to show their physical and intellectual abilities and team-working skills to win the game.

In Kobuleti, young people will enjoy a rare opportunity to discuss generational challenges with well-known Georgian writers. The discussion will be organised and hosted by the youth club at ‘Akhali Talga’ (‘New Wave’) college.

“The European Union helps strengthen links between formal education and non-formal learning to ensure that young people have access to high-quality education and training and improve their transition from education to employment,” said Nino Kochishvili, Programme Officer at the European Union Delegation to Georgia.

“Getting more young people into employment – jobs that pay well, with real career paths ahead – is a big social and economic opportunity for Georgia. The EU and UNDP join hands with our national partners to curate new and more effective youth education and training programmes. Greater youth employment creates a brighter future for young people and contributes to developing a larger and more dynamic economy for everyone’s benefit,” said Nick Beresford, UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia.

“We shape our work around the single most important goal – to help young people build skills they need to establish their place in society. Youth work blends formal and informal education to make the educational process richer and more effective,” said youth worker Tamuna Khalichashvili.

Starting from the new academic year in September, nine youth clubs across Georgia will resume their work to continue supporting young people in their personal development and social integration.

The EU and UNDP support draws on the EU-funded US$1,000,000 programme which contributes to creating new educational services in vocational education and training (VET), ensuring the sustainable and inclusive development of the VET system and the labour market. The programme is implemented in close partnership with Georgia’s Ministry of Education and Science, educational institutions and the private sector.

On 12 April 2022, with the assistance of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Georgia, an international scientific-practical online conference "The Way to the Heart" was held to mark World Health Day widely celebrated in Turkmenistan.

The conference was organized by the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan, the Silk Road Heart Rhythm Society and the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Georgia.

The conference was attended by leading health professionals from Turkmenistan, Georgia and the USA. During the conference, innovative treatment methods in interventional cardiology and arrhythmology were considered. The participants discussed modern technologies, methods of diagnostics and treatment of arrhythmias, heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases.

At the end of the conference, the Turkmen and Georgian experts expressed their desire to further deepen and broaden cooperation in this field.

Many parts of the global society is reacting to Russia's military invasion of Ukraine by denouncing Russian President Putin's decision of devastating attack and occupation of the Ukraine territory.

In his presidency, Putin used the military power to invade and control foreign territory including South Ossetia, Crimea of Ukraine, and now parts of the north, east and south of Ukraine, which all challenged the global security and stability.

On 28th, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a South Korea-based international NGO affiliated with the UN ECOSOC and Seoul Metropolitan Government, made a statement to advocate a global cooperation for peace.

Titled “Statement by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) Regarding Russia and Ukraine”, it demands that Russia withdraw all military to its own territory, international community protect and accommodate refugees, and global youth unite for an anti-war movement and peace.

“Military aggression against a sovereign state cannot be a solution to any problem, and the perils of such war and violent conflict hit innocent citizens the hardest, including women, the youth, and children. … Russia must withdraw its forces back to its country … (and we) request all nations to demonstrate their love for humanity by offering help to refugees.”

HWPL has been seeking to construct a global network for peace by building solidarity among leaders and representatives from the field of politics, religion, youth, women and media in the world. Written by 580,000 citizens worldwide, HWPL in 2018 sent out "peace letters" urging the heads of states of 192 countries to demand their participation in cooperation for peace.

On February 26th, the White House announced through a statement that the European Commission, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States will cooperate to execute an economic sanction to exclude Russia from the international financial system by removing selected Russian banks from the SWIFT.

Ukrainian forces are currently resisting against the Russian military with effective defense, and anti-war protests and voices in support of Ukraine through social media become more widespread throughout the world.

Department of Public Relations (International) HWPL

International multinational military exercise Agile Spirit marks its jubilee. It is the 10th time Georgia hosts Agile Spirit. This year the most large-scale multinational military exercise will be held from July 26 through August 6. This is reported by the administration of the Ministry of Defense of Georgia.

Agile Spirit 2021 aims to enhance interoperability among the forces of NATO member and partner countries, to improve and strengthen operational capabilities during planning and execution of operations in real time within multinational environment, to improve cooperation in multinational readiness and security sphere. Agile Spirit 2021 promotes regional stability and security, as well as strengthens capabilities of Alliance member and partner countries to react to regional crises and challenges more effectively. That’s why the main message of the Agile Spirit 2021 is - “Strength through Partnership”.

The 10th Agile Spirit 2021 is distinctive and larger scale rather than the previous exercises:

For the first time Georgian-made armored vehicles Didgori Meomari and Didgori MedEvac will participate in the international multinational exercise.

The number of the countries participating in the exercise is large – this year 15 NATO member and partner countries are involved in it, including: Georgia, USA, UK, Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Turkey, Latvia, Estonia, Germany, Azerbaijan, Spain, Canada, Italy and Lithuania. More than 2500 military of 15 countries will take part in Agile Spirit 2021.

The training theatre is also large-scale, which will be expanded to five locations – II Infantry Brigade in Senaki, Sorta/Eki training area, Orpolo rifle range, Vaziani rifle range and Vaziani military aerodrome.

For the first time in the history of multinational exercises conducted in Georgia, a combined airborne operation with the participation of military from Georgia, USA, UK, Poland and UK will be held within Agile Spirit 2021.

One more novelty within the 10th Agile Spirit is the direction of Special Operation Forces. For the first time in the history of multinational exercises conducted in Georgia, Special Operation Forces from Georgia, USA, UK, Romania and Poland will perform combined operations in renovated and modernized Sorta training area.

The multinational military training is complex and its scenario includes command, staff and field trainings with airborne operations and live fire, as well as with the engagement of maneuver and combat support elements in defensive and offensive operations.

On May 20, 2021, in the building of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan in honor of the 140th anniversary of the founding of the city of Ashgabat, a Conference of Mayors of Friendly and Sister Cities of Ashgabat was held in a hybrid format.

The event was opened by the rector of the Turkmen State Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering P. Orazov.

 Thanking everyone for their active participation, the khyakim of Ashgabat Y. Gylydjev noted that the capital of Turkmenistan was recognized as a friendly, hospitable, beautiful city from an architectural point of view. He spoke about the architectural project "Ashgabat City". Briefly telling about the rich history of Ashgabat, the khyakim emphasized the political authority of the capital, where the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia is located, which holds large-scale events of international importance.

 During his speech, Minister of Culture of Turkmenistan A. Shamuradov quoted several lines from the book of the President of Turkmenistan "Ashgabat- The White City", spoke about major cultural events that have taken place and are planned in the capital. He especially emphasized the admission of Ashgabat to the membership of the World Federation of Tourist Cities, and also spoke about the objects included in the Guinness Book of Records.

Deputy Mayor of the City of Kabul of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan S. Sidigi, Mayor of Baku City E. Aziz ogly Azizov, Secretary General of the People's Government of the Municipality of Lanzhou City of the People's Republic of China Z. Chenghu, Mayor of Tashkent City Dj. Artykhojayev, Deputy Mayor of Nur-Sultan City E. Kizatov, acting head of the Agency for International Relations of the Astrakhan Region of the Russian Federation A. Aydin, Chairman of the Committee for External Relations of the Government of Saint-Petersburg of the Russian Federation E. Grigoryev, Deputy Head of the Department of Foreign Economic and International Relations of the City of Moscow of the Russian Federation O. Shutenko made their presentations by means of videoconferencing.

The speakers noted that Ashgabat is one of the most beautiful cities in Central Asia, rich in historical past and has now become a world-class metropolis, a national center for technological progress and innovation. They noted the bilateral relations between the cities, built on mutual friendship, support and interaction in various areas of the urban economy. The speakers also stressed that they especially value the established ties of friendship and mutual understanding with Ashgabat.

At the meeting, the participants also heard video messages from the Mayor of Albuquerque City of the USA T.Keller, Mayor of Tendo City of Japan Sh.Yamamoto, Mayor of Ankara City M.Yavash, Deputy Mayor of Bishkek City V. Mozgacheva. During her speech, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO Ch.Rustamova spoke about the unique design, the progressive transformation of the capital, which in a short time has become a real "pearl" of Central Asia. She noted that in 2020 Ashgabat applied to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the design direction, which was officially adopted by the UNESCO Secretariat.

The event was also attended by the Mayors of Chişinau, Beijing, Istanbul, Vienna, Yerevan. The meeting participants were shown a video about the achievements of the Turkmen capital.

At the end of the event, an Address was adopted to the Esteemed President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on behalf of the participants of the International Conference of Mayors of Friendly and Sister Cities of Ashgabat, dedicated to the 140th anniversary of the founding of Ashgabat.

Состоялось Международное заседание Мэров дружественных городов и городов-побратимов Ашхабада

20 мая 2021 года в здании Торгово-промышленной палаты Туркменистана в честь 140-летия основания города Ашхабада в гибридном формате состоялось заседание Мэров дружественных городов и городов-побратимов Ашхабада.

 Мероприятие открыл ректор Туркменского государственного архитектурно-строительного института П.Оразов.

Поблагодарив всех за активное участие, хяким города Ашхабада Я.Гылыджов отметил, что столица Туркменистана признана дружественным, гостеприимным, красивым с архитектурной точки зрения городом. Он рассказал об архитектурном проекте «Ашхабад-сити». Кратко рассказав о богатой истории Ашхабада, хяким подчеркнул политический авторитет столицы, где находится Региональный Центр ООН по Превентивной дипломатии для Центральной Азии, который проводит масштабные мероприятия международного значения.

Министр культуры Туркменистана А.Шамурадов в ходе своего выступления привел несколько строк из книги Президента Туркменистана «Белый город Ашхабад», рассказал о крупных культурных мероприятиях прошедших и планируемых в столице. Он особо подчеркнул принятие Ашхабада в членство Всемирной федерации туристических городов, а также рассказал об объектах, вошедших в Книгу рекордов Гиннеса.

На мероприятии посредством видеосвязи выступили заместитель Мэра города Кабул ИРА С.Сидиги, Мэр города Баку Э.Азиз оглы Азизов, Генеральный секретарь народного правительства муниципалитета города Ланьчжоу КНР Ч.Чэнху, Мэр города Ташкент Дж.Артыкходжаев, Заместитель Мэра города Нур-Султан Е.Кизатов, и.о. руководителя агентства международных связей Астраханской области РФ А.Айдин, Председатель Комитета по внешним связям Правительства Санкт-Петербурга Е.Григорьев, Заместитель руководителя Департамента внешнеэкономических и международных связей города Москва О.Шутенко.

Выступившие отметили, что Ашхабад является одним из красивейших городов Центральной Азии, богатый историческим прошлым и ныне ставший мегаполисом мирового уровня, национальным центром технологического прогресса и инноваций. Они отметили двусторонние отношения между городами, выстроенные на взаимной дружбе, поддержке и взаимодействии в различных сферах городского хозяйства. Также ораторы подчеркнули, что особо дорожат сложившимися узами дружбы и взаимопонимания с Ашхабадом.

На заседании участники также заслушали видеообращения Мэра города Альбукерке США Т.Келлера, Мэра города Тендо Японии С.Ямамото, Мэра города Анкара М.Яваша, заместителя Мэра города Бишкек В.Мозгачевой.

 В ходе своего выступления Ответственный секретарь Национальной комиссии Туркменистана по делам ЮНЕСКО Ч.Рустамова рассказала об уникальном дизайне, прогрессивном преобразовании столицы, которая за короткое время превратилась в настоящую «жемчужину» Центральной Азии. Она отметила, что в 2020 году Ашхабад подал заявку на вступление в Сеть креативных городов ЮНЕСКО по направлению «Дизайн», которая официально принята Секретариатом ЮНЕСКО.

На мероприятии также приняли участие Мэры городов Кишинев, Пекин, Стамбул, Вена, Ереван.

Участникам заседания был показан видеоролик о достижениях туркменской столицы.

В конце мероприятия было принято Обращение к Уважаемому Президенту Туркменистана Гурбангулы Бердымухамедову от имени участников Международного заседания Мэров дружественных городов и городов-побратимов Ашхабада, посвященного 140-летию основания Ашхабада.

Today, on March 2, the International Conference “Turkmenistan and the United Nations: Cooperation for Peace and Trust” on the occasion of
the 29th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s UN membership, has started in the MFA of Turkmenistan.

Within the framework of the event online ceremony of signing the bilateral documents was held. In particular, the following documents were signed: Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the United Nations Population Fund on Co-Financing, as well as Work Plan between the Ministry of Sport and Youth Policy of Turkmenistan and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) within the framework of the project “Strengthening mechanisms of youth participation in the implementation of the national youth policy and advancement of gender equality” for 2021.

Then Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov handed over to the Acting UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, UNICEF Representative in Turkmenistan Christine Weigand the Note verbale of the MFA of Turkmenistan officially announcing on behalf of the Government of Turkmenistan about the Resolution of the President of Turkmenistan on the approval of the procedure for visa-free entry to Turkmenistan of foreign citizens with UN passports.

As is known, that Resolution had been signed by the President of Turkmenistan on the 28th of February 2021, according to which, starting from March 2 this year, foreign citizens holding UN passports are allowed to come to Turkmenistan, stay in the country, leave it, and cross the territory of Turkmenistan in transit without visa.

Besides that, the document prescribed those foreign citizens – officers of the UN or its specialized structures, accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, as well as their family members, are exempted from obtaining visa during the period of work in Turkmenistan.

The adoption of this Resolution is in line with the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.  

On February 13, 2021, an international webinar on “Voice of Peace: Media Perspective on COVID-19 and Social Change” was held to discuss the contents of national responses to political, economic, and social aspects under the heavy influence of the pandemic.

This event was co-hosted by Risingbd of Bangladesh, The DAWN of South Sudan, PTV World of Pakistan, and a UN-affiliated NGO named Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) headquartered in South Korea.

Dr. Javed Ali Kalholo, Senior Producer of PTV World, stated that the globe witnessed disastrous diseases in the new century from swine flu to Eblola before COVID-19. He advocated international cooperation to “fight the existing menace of virus collectively and do share a cognitive approach towards the post-pandemic world.”

Mr. Nabeel Tirmazi, Broadcasting Consultant & Programme Manager of Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), mentioned that media responsibility in democratic states has grown to “dispel wrong notions, apprehensions and misinformation”, adding to the functions of informing and educating. To cope with the COVID-19 crisis, he suggested capacity building for healthy journalism from international media practitioners with the case of combating disinformation regarding the pandemic with international organizations including WHO and UNESCO.

Mr. Ibnul Qayum Sony, Senior Sub Editor of Risingbd, Actor and Independent Film Director explained that the current phenomena of COVID-19 have mixed results. In the case of Bangladesh, he said that loss of lives and economic downturn from the lockdown coexist with the significant decrease in the level of pollution in rivers of the country resulting in biodiversity.

“South Sudan is the newest country on earth, having gained independence from Sudan in 2011, but a political crisis two years later has left it bleeding,” said Mr. Okech Francis, Deputy Editor in Chief of The Dawn Newspaper. To respond to poor infrastructure, health services, and economic performance in the country and region, he highlighted that knowledge and skills for sustainable future of peace and security need to be provided, rather than handouts.

Mr. Supalak Ganjanakhundee, Bangkok-based Southeast Asia Analyst, Thailand, says that the country is “still struggling to contain the spread of the deadly disease” and the recent student democratic protest, which also “extended to neighbor Myanmar after the military in that country staged a coup in the pre-dawn of 1 February.” He added that the demands from protest are to be taken seriously “to bring genuine democracy, stability and peace to the country.”

Dr. Ian Seo, General Director of HWPL, pointed out that the recent dysfunctional election system in Thailand and South Korea and public dissatisfaction with the current leadership during the pandemic brought uncertainty of democratic system of the two countries. He suggested that giving insights and inspiration to youth is media responsibility and dedication for the future with peaceful societies.

Press-release of the HWPL

On July 20, a webinar on a new religious movement in South Korea and its political, religious, and social dimensions with the recent COVID-19 crisis invited international scholars and experts in the field of religion, international law, and human rights.

Titled “COVID-19 and Religious Freedom: Scapegoating Shincheonji in South Korea”, the webinar addressed the recent issues of aggressive attack from politically powerful conservative and fundamentalist Protestant churches in the country on a newly-established, fast-growing Christian denomination named 'Shincheonji (New Heaven and New Earth) Church of Jesus' founded in 1984.

The new Christian movement by Shincheonji has become a target of “persecution from fundamentalist protestants” because of its successful religious expansion “from the conservative and fundamentalist protestants who see Shincheonji as competitors and want to destroy it," said Massimo Introvigne as an Italian sociologist of religion who studied Shincheonji before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and published the first account of the religious group in English.

Alessandro Amicarelli, Chairman European Federation for Freedom of Belief, pointed out that the South Korean authorities problematized Shincheonji as a cause of the COVID-19 crisis to shut down the church. “Already 30 other people were tested positive before the patient 31 (a member of Shincheonji criticized for the widespread of the virus). Many Chinese including ones from Wuhan had visited Daegu (of South Korea) and infection spread,” he said.

Willy Fautre, Director of Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF), said that the recent attack on Shincheonji can be viewed as an attempt by the fundamentalist Protestant groups in South Korea to weaken and destroy the competitor in the religious market. He added, "Human rights violations against Shincheonji members through coercive conversion program (also known as 'deprogramming') with kidnapping and confinement for the last decade have been made as a result of the failure of competition from the Protestant churches in the country."

Ciaran Burke, Associate Professor in University of Derby, said that the South Korean health authorities explicitly link Shinchoenji and outbreak of the COVID-19 until now even though a greater link between the virus and confirmation cases has been found in other churches. He also expressed concerns over “collecting personal information of 300,000 domestic and international Shincheonji members by the government which is a possible violation of international agreement, especially the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) South Korea ratified in 1990.”

The prosecution initiated investigation of Shincheonji leaders including founder Man Hee Lee for his alleged role in the widespread of the COVID-19. Three Shincheonji officials were arrested on July 8 on a charge of playing a role in major outbreak at its early stage by “(submitting) inaccurate list of members.”

“The authorities ignored requests to change the word ‘sect’ in their official reports when referring to Shincheonji church. Local governments encouraged the residents to report Shincheonji congregation and facilities to the authorities, creating stigma that the members were to be treated as criminals,” said a Shincheonji official in the webinar.

A recent statement issued by “families of the deceased and victims of COVID-19” wrote that "the thousands of the damage and deaths of Koreans reflect the failure of initial response to contain the virus by the government." It added that the Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae “allowed COVID-19 patients from China to enter Korea, leading to a widespread outbreak of the virus across the country, which resulted in the deaths of the Korean people.” It also stated that she is trying to avoid her responsibility for the damage by “giving direct orders to prosecutors for a raid and arrests against Shincheonji Church”.

A leading South Korean TV network, MBC reported that a recently conducted screening at Daegu, epicenter of COVID-19 major outbreak within South Korea added the weight to the failure of initial response to contain the virus by the government. The report, citing analysis from a local university hospital, inferred that at least 180,000 of the total population of 2.4 million people in the city of Daegu were infected with the COVID-19, 27 times to the official 6,800 confirmed cases. Most of the confirmation cases, over 5,000, are members of Shincheonji Church as their personal information was collected by the government, while the remaining 180,000 potential infections have not been investigated.

Press Release of the Department of Public Relations

Heavenly Culture, World Peace, and the Restoration of Light

China International Education College is founded by China International Education Group. Various educational institutions in China, Europe and Asia are successfully operating under the umbrella of this group.

Our institute is dedicated to teaching Chinese, organizing multifaceted cultural and cognitive events that will help Georgian society to better understand Chinese culture, as well as deepen multilateral relations and cooperation between China and Georgia.

Our Institute is the first fully independent private institute of its kind in Georgia. It is worth noticing that the China International Education group is the one of the important investors in Georgia in the field of education, currently investing approximately 3 million GEL, and plans to invest in vocational education in the future.

On January 11, 2020, at 15:00, at the headquarters of the China International Education College, Andrew and Meliton Balanchivadze Ave. # 43, the official opening ceremony of the China International Education College will be held.

Invited guests are Ambassador of China to Georgia - Ms. Lee Ian, guests from Ministry of Education, state and public figures, also specially for this day, for the first time senior statesmen will come from China : Mr. Wu Ni - Director of the Institute for Education Development and Reforms of the Chinese Academy of Education, Mr. Xu Zhengzhong - Director of the Institute for Education Development and Reforms and other guests.

The following people will give speeches at the ceremony : Mr. Kang Zheng – founder of the institute, Ms. Eli Elisashvili – Director, Mr. Wu Ni and Mr. Xu Zhengzhong.

This event will also include a presentation of the first Chinese-Georgian dictionary, translated by the director of the Institute - Eli Elisashvili, published in China, and second edition will be performed in Georgia.