During the 2018 HWPL World Peace Summit: 4th Anniversary of the WARP Summit around 100 religious leaders from 37 countries who have been participating in the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Offices up to now met on September 19th and held the HWPL Intercontinental WARP Office Meeting. The first 2 Intercontinental WARP Office Meetings were held online, but in honor of the 4th annual commemorative summit major participants from the WARP Office meetings gathered in Korea in a single location and took time to compare their scriptures.

The 1st Intercontinental WARP Office was held under the theme of ‘What is the method to eliminate evil in the scripture?’ and the 2nd Intercontinental WARP Office focused on the ‘Beginning and Origin of All Things’, so representatives of different religions compared their scriptures in these areas. The 3rd Intercontinental WARP Office focused on the founder of religion, which is one of the core topics among religions and faith communities, and a passionate discussion ensued. Also, the live online broadcasting that was streamed in 4 languages attracted the attention of many people.
Around 100 guests from Korea and abroad participated in the meeting and a panel of representatives from Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Zoroastrianism discussed the main topic as well as responded to questions from the audience members. The focal point of this discussion was regarding “God”; however, the discussion was not limited to the god of a particular religion but rather expanded to encompass the transcendental existence of any being that is in control over all creation. In relation to the subject of “God” a number of questions were explored, such as ‘Who is he?’, ‘What is the law, cause and origin of nature?’, ‘If God exists, what type of existence does he have and what is his purpose?’, and ‘Why is there no direct communication with God?’.
This discussion first started with an O, X question being given to the panelists regarding ‘Is there a record of the existence of God in your scriptures?”. In response, the representatives of Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and Zoroastrianism answered with O and the Buddhist representative answered with X. The panelists who answered O were then given time to share about the Creator and how all of creation was first created according to their respective religions. The Buddhist panelist who had answered with X explained that in Buddhist scriptures “the origins are not explained about in terms of a Creator, but rather about human life.”

Second, the question was asked regarding ‘Is the place where God is dwelling recorded in your scriptures?’, to which all panel representatives answered O aside from the Buddhist representative who answered X as with the first question. The Christian panelist explained that at the time of Moses God dwelt in the tabernacle and at the time of Solomon he resided in the temple. Also, the scriptures record that when Jesus came 2,000 years ago he himself was God’s temple and that we are also the temple. The Islam representative stated that, “It is said that there is a throne, but there is no telling where that throne is, but the angels are supporting it. Also, it is recorded in the scriptures that God is closer to you than your jugular vein.”

Third, time was given for audience members to ask questions to the panelists. It was stated that, “in Hinduism God is understood and personified as material things that we can see, and I think there is a problem in limiting God to human thought in such a way,” so the Hindu panelist was asked about his thoughts regarding this issue. The Hindu panelist answered, “God is named by each person individually.”
The final portion of the event consisted of a concert put on by the children’s choir where they sang “Heal the world, We are the world”, showing the heart that transcends religions, races and cultures. All participants promised that moving forward they would all participate in and further develop the WARP Offices in their own respective continents and countries.

These days there are many religions all around the world and disagreements and conflicts between such religions are continuing. Amid such circumstances, many religious leaders are regretful over this harsh reality and are thus putting in passionate effort into uniting and becoming one for the realization of world peace through active discussion. So far WARP Office meetings have been held online and offline in around 200 locations all over the world during the past 4 years. In the future as well, these WARP Office meetings will become the groundbreaking tool for citizens around the world to seek the truth and spread the true value of life, which is a culture of peace.

Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Giorgi Kobulia held a meeting with the Resident Representative of the International Monetary Fund in Georgia, Francois Painchaud.

On-going program under the IMF’s Extended Financing Facility (EFF) as well as the current economic trends and scheduled reforms were the main topics of the conversation. It was noted that the program is of outmost importance for Georgia, since it is based on the agenda of the Georgian Government and facilitates the achievement of the country’s strategic goals.

The Law on Accumulative Pension recently approved by the Parliament of Georgia also became the issue of the conversation and it was highlighted that the Law is an important step towards the improving of the existing social system. The parties also discussed other important reforms aimed at the inclusive growth of the country’s economy. 

International Monetary Fund representative emphasized all commitment and fulfillment of quantitative and structural criteria under the IMF program. The Resident Representative of the International Monetary Fund stressed on the successful implementation of all the obligations as well as the numerical and structural criteria by Georgia.

Parties to the conversation confirmed readiness to continue productive cooperation between Georgia and the IMF in the future as well.

Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Ekaterine Mikabadze also attended the meeting. 

On April 30, 2018, in Ashgabat, the High-Level Meeting "Towards a Comprehensive Implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia" was held, and the third phase of a joint project supporting the Joint Action Plan for Central Asia (SAP) was launched.

The event was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the United Nations Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), with the participation of the UN Under-Secretary-General, Head of the UN Counter-Terrorism Department Vladimir Voronkov, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Asia, the Head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive diplomacy for Central Asia Natalia Herman, deputy foreign ministers of the Central Asian states, as well as UN regional structures.

As is known, the first and second phases of the project were implemented in the period 2010-2017 and were devoted to the consideration of four main directions of the Global Strategy for drawing up recommendations on the development of SAP, which is the first of its kind and was adopted in Ashgabat in December 2011.

In the long term, it is expected that the new phase of the joint regional counter-terrorism initiative of UNRCCA and the UNCCT, entitled "Towards a comprehensive implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia", will be aimed at further strengthening the capacity of the Central Asian states in the field of combating terrorism and preventing violent extremism in a strategic basis.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Voronkov noted that the main activities of the project will include the provision of targeted support in the development of national and regional strategies to combat terrorism and prevent violent extremism, further strengthening the capacity of the Central Asian countries in the priority areas identified in the SAP for Central Asia and facilitating the exchange of best practices in the region and beyond.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan S.G. Berdimuhamedov stated about Turkmenistan's further readiness to offer cooperation with the UNFC on the implementation of the Ashgabat Action Plan of the UN Counter-Terrorism Strategy. In this context, the Turkmen side made a number of concrete proposals in this direction using the UNRCCA.

In turn, Ms. Herman noted that in accordance with her mandate in the field of regional and preventive diplomacy, UNRCCA will jointly implement this initiative and promote regional and cross-border cooperation in preventing violent extremism and combating terrorism in coordination with other regional partners active in this field in Central Asia.

At the end of the forum, a Statement was adopted following the results of the High-level Meeting "Towards a Comprehensive Implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia".

At the end of the meeting, a press conference was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan for foreign journalists, accredited in Ashgabat and representatives of the national media.

The President of Georgia, H.E. Giorgi Margvelashvili has held a farewell meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to Georgia, Mr. Jānis Zlamets, who has finished his term in Georgia.
At the meeting, the parties have discussed the importance of further enhancing economic and political cooperation between Georgia and Latvia. The conversation has also touched upon Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
President Margvelashvili has thanked Mr. Zlamets for his personal contribution to the development of Georgia-Latvian relations and wished success in his future endeavors.

First Vice-Prime Minister of Georgia, Minister of Finance Mr. Dimitry Kumsishvili, will attend the Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Washington, DC. During the visit Minister will also meet other International Finance Organizations and investor companies.

Mr. Dimitry Kumsishvili as a Minister of Finance as well as Governor for Georgia at World Bank Group, will meet high level officials from the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund.

First Vice-Minister, Minister of Finance of Georgia Mr. Dimitry Kumsishvili will meet with Katarína Mathernova, Deputy Director-General of Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, where EU-Georgia cooperation topics will be discussed.

Minister Kumsishvili will meet various business representatives attending Spring Meetings 2017.

From the Georgian side meeting will be attended by Mr. Nikoloz Gagua, Deputy Minister of Finance.

Today Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili met with B'nai B'rith International delegation led by the company's President Gary Saltzman.

The conversation during the meeting involved 26 centuries of Georgia-Israel friendship that keeps growing stronger. The Head of Government emphasized strategic partnership with the United States of America.

Giorgi Kvirikashvili introduced Georgia's achievements and the Government's four-point reform agenda to the B'nai B'rith International delegation.

The President of B'nai B'rith International thanked the Prime Minister of Georgia for hospitality and pledged to support investments in Georgia from both Israel and the US.

Following a tete-a-tete meeting, the President of Georgia, H.E. Giorgi Margvelashvili and the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, H.E. Nursultan Nazarbayev have held an extended meeting.
The meeting has been attended by the Georgian delegation, which is comprised of the First Deputy Vice Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance, Mr. Dimitri Kumsishvili, the Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara Mr. Zurab Pataradze, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Davit Zalkaliani, the Head of the Administration of President, Mr. Giorgi Abashishvili, the Secretary of the National Security Council, Mr. Davit Rakviashvili, the Advisor to the President for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Tengiz Pkhaladze, the Ambassador of Georgia to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Zurab Abashidze and members of the Parliament.
The parties have mainly discussed the prospects of further strengthening trade-economic cooperation between Georgia and Kazakhstan.
President Margvelashvili has congratulated his counterpart on a successful opening of the international exhibition, "EXPO 2017" and noted that he will also take part in this important forum.
President Margvelashvili has invited President Nazarbayev to Georgia and pointed out that such visits give a significant impetus to further development of bilateral, political, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian relations.
As he further noted, Kazakhstan, Georgia's partner, is one of the leading investors in the country and the Government of Georgia does not spare efforts to strengthen cooperation in all possible spheres and identify new areas of cooperation.
The parties have underlined that Georgia and Kazakhstan have a great potential for the development of bilateral, trade and economic relations and more efforts should be made to fully use this potential.
Considering international agreements signed by Georgia in the field of trade, Georgia presents favorable conditions for further expanding trade relations with Kazakhstan.
In regard to developing relations between the two countries, the parties have highlighted Georgia’s role, as a transit corridor, connecting Europe, Caucasus, and Asia and emphasized that Georgia actively works to become a logistical center in the region.
For this purpose Georgia participates in international projects, such as: the new Anaklia port, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and East-West highway projects.
As underlined at the meeting, Georgia has historically been playing an important role in the Silk Road project for many years and is still involved in numerous transport projects.
Georgia welcomes all new initiatives in these areas and is ready to discuss interesting and mutually beneficial suggestions in the collaboration process with partners.
The meeting has also been focused on cooperation in the area of tourism. As noted, tourism between Georgia and the Republic of Kazakhstan develops rapidly on a daily basis.

Georgian Prime Minister held a farewell meeting with Nuncio of the Holy See to Georgia Marek Solchinski whose tenure expired recently.
The parties discussed the rapidly growing bilateral relations and the successful visit of the Pope of Rome to Georgia.
According to Marek Solchinski, Pope Francis is happy to have developed after his recent visit excellent relations with His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All-Georgia Ilia II.
The Nuncio of the Holy See also emphasized the importance of the years he spent in Georgia, during which numerous reforms were carried out in the country. According to him, Georgia is the constantly progressing regional leader, and a vital role in this process is played by Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili.
The Prime Minister of Georgia thanked Marek Solchinski for his contribution to the development of bilateral relations and wished the Nuncio success in all of his future endeavors.

The President of Georgia, H.E. Giorgi Margvelashvili has held a meeting with the Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Mr. Stepan Poltorak, as a part of his two-day official visit to Georgia.
The parties have discussed Georgia-Ukraine bilateral cooperation in the area of defense and the prospects of further strengthening these relations.
President Margvelashvili has reaffirmed his strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and pointed out that Georgia and Ukraine face similar threats and aggression from Russia and share common goals in the foreign policy.
According to the President, Georgia condemns aggressive and illegal actions taken by the Russian Federation in Ukraine and will continue to support Ukraine in all formats.
On behalf of the President of Ukraine, Mr. Poltorak has thanked President Margvelashvili for his personal contribution in supporting Ukraine at the international arena.
The conversation has also touched upon the preparation for the prospective visit of the President of Ukraine to Georgia, which will be held in the nearest future.
The meeting has also been attended by the Head of the Administration of the President of Georgia Mr. Giorgi Abashishvili, the Secretary of the National Security Council of Georgia Mr. Davit Rakviashvili, the Minister of Defence of Georgia Mr. Levan Izoria, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Mr. Vladimer Chachibaia and the Secretary of the President of Georgia for Foreign Affairs Mr. Tengiz Pkhaladze.