United Nations in Georgia

The Sustainable Development Goals are 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. These are the goals the UN is working on in Georgia:

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25 July 2024

Didier Trebucq assumes duties as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Georgia

On Thursday, Didier Trebucq, the new United Nations Resident Coordinator in Georgia, formally presented his credentials to the President of Georgia, H.E. Salome Zourabichvili.Mr. Trebucq expressed his appreciation to President Salome Zourabichvili for Georgia's enduring partnership with the United Nations and reiterated the UN's unwavering commitment to supporting the people of Georgia on the country’s sustainable development pathway. "I am deeply honored to lead the UN team in Georgia," he said. "I look forward to collaborating with our national and international partners to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and build a just, sustainable and peaceful future for all, especially those most in need."Earlier today, Didier Trebucq presented copies of his credentials to Mr. Lasha Darsalia, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.Photo: © MFA of GeorgiaThe United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Didier Trebucq of France as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Georgia on 17 June with the host Government’s approval.Mr. Trebucq brings more than 24 years of experience in sustainable development, climate change, social cohesion, peace and development, crisis prevention and humanitarian action with the United Nations and International Organizations. He previously served as the UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean states, covering ten countries and territories and leading a sub-regional team of more than 20 UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes. His extensive experience with the UN also includes serving as the UNDP Country Director in Brazil, the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative respectively in Peru and Guyana, and the Team Leader for Crisis Prevention and Recovery with UNDP India.Before joining the United Nations, he worked as Head of Delegation of the French Red Cross in Colombia and Ecuador, with Doctors Without Borders in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and the private sector in France. He holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Development with a specialization in environmental economics from Imperial College London (UK), and a Maîtrise in Business Administration and Management from the Institut Français de Gestion (France).

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13 November 2024

Peace with Nature

Nestled in the scenic highlands of the Ajara Autonomous Republic, Machakhela National Park was established in 2012 to preserve the UNESCO-protected Colchic rainforests. Beyond its role as a crucial biodiversity reserve, the park offers a unique opportunity to foster eco-tourism and advance the green economy in Georgia.During a recent visit to Ajara, Didier Trebucq, the UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia, witnessed firsthand how green practices like eco-farming, renewable energy, and sustainable tourism are transforming the lives of over 3,000 residents in Machakheli Valley. These initiatives, led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with support from various donors, including the European Union, Japan, the Czech Republic, and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), are creating lasting impacts in local communities.Machakhela National Park stands as an example of how biodiversity conservation efforts can blend with community development, demonstrating that environmental protection benefits both people and nature. Bioenergy in a nutshell Leila Kakhidze is a teacher in Zeda Chukhuneti village, located in the Khelvachauri municipality. Like many rural residents, Leila has to supplement her professional work of teaching primary classes with small business activities to make a living. She owns a small family café that offers stunning views of the valley. “There is a lot that we still need to do, but things are moving fast. I am sure this small café will turn into a nice guesthouse soon,” Leila says, looking at the construction. Leila is among the Machakheli Valley residents who have installed energy-efficient stoves and introduced renewable energy in their homes thanks to UNDP support.In 2017, she was one of the first to pioneer green technologies. Being a trailblazer was not always easy; her neighbours were initially unsupportive. The community relied heavily on traditional practices such as timber harvesting. However, as time passed, almost all households gradually shifted from scepticism to support for conservation efforts. As part of the initiative, almost all households in her village have already installed solar panels which help operate the water heating system. They also shifted from firewood to energy-efficient stoves and biomass for winter heating. The push towards energy efficiency has further helped her and other residents lower their heating costs, contributing to their overall economic resilience. During a UN Resident Coordinator Didier Trebucq visit, Leila shared how switching to alternative fuel has transformed her life. "First of all, the renewable energy sources—firewood biomass, energy-efficient stoves, and solar panels—help me maintain a comfortable temperature and ensure constant hot water at home during winter, reducing annual expenses on heating. For the valley, this means that our green cover remains undamaged and our forests intact," Leila remarks.While the shift to renewable energy sources can lead to long-term savings, the initial costs associated with purchasing and installing solar panels and energy-efficient stoves may have been a barrier for some households considering similar changes. UNDP’s support contributes to overcoming these barriers. Pathway to prosperity Giorgi Salvaridze, a young entrepreneur from the picturesque village of Tskhemlari in Khelvachauri Municipality—home to Ajara's richest flora – turned his dream into a thriving eco-farming venture. Guided by a deep connection to his roots, Giorgi embraced two age-old crafts: beekeeping and winemaking. Starting with just a few beehives and a modest vineyard, he worked tirelessly to grow his enterprise.With support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the European Union, and UNDP, Giorgi received training and technical assistance for his beekeeping cooperative, “Putkara” and a diverse range of grapevines for his vineyard. Today, he produces a variety of honey, including rich Chestnut honey, and makes celebrated local wines such as Chkhaveri and Tsolikauri, quickly gaining in popularity.“We are grateful for projects like these in Machakheli Valley. Beekeeping and winemaking are more than a source of income; they show that positive change is possible, even in a small village,” Giorgi shares.Standing amidst the lush landscapes of his home, he recognizes that his work is not only building a business but nurturing a legacy that inspires others. “These projects bring new opportunities, improve well-being, and help keep people rooted in our community.”Giorgi’s entrepreneurial journey is only beginning. Among his plans is to develop agrotourism, inviting visitors to experience his village’s natural and cultural treasures. Following in his ancestors' footsteps in winemakingIn the heart of the Ajara mountains, where lush greenery meets the sky, a unique glamping experience and delicious wine await in the village of Chikuneti, located in the Khelvachauri municipality. The famous “Ilia's Marani” wine cellar, owned by Amiran Malakmadze, boasts a 10-century-long history.While still young, Amiran Malakmadze recognized the importance of preserving his family's winemaking tradition. He successfully restored his ancestors' cellar and carefully cared for maintaining the legacy of his ancestors and nurturing the historical site. UNDP assisted him in creating a wine degustation space and popularizing the site as a tourism destination. As Amiran told the UN Resident Coordinator Didier Trebucq during his visit to the region, UNDP’s assistance inspired him to start a business in his village. His eco-farm is gradually expanding. It offers wine from rare grape varieties to Georgian and international visitors. With his son Ilia’s help, the family also runs the glamping cottages that provide stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Each accommodation is designed to harmonize with nature while offering modern amenities and delicious Ajarian cuisine. Glamping and Ilias Wine Cellar together create an unforgettable experience in Ajara—a place where nature’s beauty intertwines with rich cultural heritage. It brings hope for a better future in this mountainous region."Ilia's Marani" has been granted the status of an immovable cultural heritage monument since 2018. ------------Since the establishment of Machakhela National Park, UNDP provided technical assistance to small farmers in areas such as winemaking and beekeeping. Additionally, initiatives like a livestock insurance programme and installing electric fences have significantly reduced losses from predators, thereby supporting local agricultural practices. Thanks to UNDP support, energy-efficient stoves, and solar panels have been installed for households in the Machakhela National Park. Those interested in opening family guesthouses have been trained in touristic management and received start-up support. In 2022, with support from UNDP, a renovated exhibition hall opened in the heart of Machakhela National Park, showcasing the Park's rich history and unique nature. UNDP’s work in the Machakhela National Park is part of its wider assistance to Georgia in expanding access to green solutions and making environmental issues an integral part of development.

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04 December 2024

How play strengthens your child’s mental health

Play is how young children learn and make sense of the world around them. While they are having fun, they are working on critical parts of their development like building motor, cognitive, social and emotional skills. But the power of play extends beyond early learning: it also plays a key role in building your child’s mental health – and yours too! Learn why making time for playtime is both a fun and healthy thing to do.Children who play regularly with their parents are less likely to develop anxiety, depression, aggression and sleep problems.Play helps to strengthen the bond between you and your childSharing in joyful moments of fun and learning helps bring children and their caregivers closer together. As your little one's first playmate, you have the ability to provide opportunities for learning and connection right at home. When you play together, you get to see the world from your child’s perspective.By providing your child with love, comfort and attention, you are laying the foundation for the development of emotional and social skills that support their mental health and future well-being. Play helps reduce stress levelsPlaying games, dancing and singing are great ways to relieve stress for both your child and you. When you’re enjoying fun moments and laughing together, your body releases endorphins that promote a feeling of well-being.Even short periods of play together can serve as a powerful reminder for adults of their ability to support their child, and gives you an opportunity to forget about work or other commitments.Research has also shown that making time for play even protects children from the negative impacts of prolonged exposure to stress. Long periods of stressful situations can affect a child’s physical and mental health. Play and positive, supportive relationships with adults can help buffer these effects. Play helps children process difficult emotionsWhen children are dealing with complex emotional issues, it often shows up in their play. Giving children space to play allows them to work through feelings such as pain, fear or loss while being able to still act like a child. Play gives them a way to express things they are struggling with that they don’t yet have the words to fully explain. By recreating painful events repeatedly through imaginative play, little ones are trying to understand the impact of what has happened. For example, if your child has witnessed two adults fighting, they may recreate this conflict with their dolls. Play helps to build confidenceSolving problems and coming up with creative solutions during a game or while working on a puzzle give children a sense of accomplishment and competence. When you take time to play with your child, your little one is learning that they are valued and fun to be around. It is important that you give your full attention during playtime and invest in the game you are playing together. Sharing in the experience together lets your child know that they are loved and important – so smile, get involved and enjoy every moment!

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02 September 2024

Family medicine needs strengthening, says pioneering PHC doctor in Georgia

A neurologist by training, Dr Nato Shengelia now works as a primary health care (PHC) doctor in Georgia. She has received international recognition for her work as a passionate advocate for family medicine in the country. Dr Shengelia discovered her passion for family medicine after graduating from Tbilisi State Medical University, once she started actively engaging with patients. She was drawn to the all-encompassing nature of PHC, which allows physicians to take a comprehensive view of patients’ health throughout their lifetimes. She shares her insights on how to make PHC a more attractive career choice.“Georgia’s PHC system is currently weak, wages are meagre, which makes it unattractive for students to make a career in primary care and most people prefer to self-refer directly to specialists due to the lack of trust in family medicine,” she explains. However, Nato notes that the current reform by the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs aims to address these challenges.In the framework of the ongoing PHC reform, the Ministry plans to add a social worker, a nurse-midwife and a psychologist to nursing teams in remote areas. Up to 40% of Georgia’s population live in rural areas (World Bank, 2022) and it is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe. Ensuring access to health services is difficult in those hard-to-reach areas, and it is hard to recruit and retain health workers there. “The lack of nurses is particularly acute. In these remote areas, strengthening PHC services is an opportunity to deliver equal and high-quality primary health care for all,” says Nato.Promoting trustPrevention is key in PHC. Early diagnosis of disease decreases morbidity and mortality. “This includes the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and screenings, with a special focus on noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors like tobacco,” says Nato. It involves, “identifying the health condition, managing it and, if necessary, timely referral to the specialist,” she explains.Nato has been involved in various WHO projects, such as support and supervision for PHC facilities delivering virtual outpatient treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as improving management of diabetes and hypertension, setting telemedicine standards in PHC facilities and many others. All of which, she says, helped strengthen PHC in Georgia and deliver essential services.Weak PHC also results in a high financial burden for the population. Due to the unpopularity of family doctors, many patients prefer paying for a specialist. This results in high out-of-pocket payments and increased financial burden, which, in Georgia, is one of the highest among the countries of the WHO European Region. “More needs to be done to restore trust in family doctors and promote and popularize primary health care among the Georgian population,” Nato says.For her outstanding career in PHC, Nato was given the 5-star award for family doctors by the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) Europe in 2024. This international recognition adds to her local success, and her ability to achieve this within Georgia’s challenging environment serves as an inspiration for future doctors. It demonstrates how improving access to quality care through PHC benefits patients and contributes to the sustainability of the entire health system.

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09 August 2024

Georgia Enhances Public Health and Food Exports with IAEA Support

Georgia has been working to enhance food safety and increase international trade since its government entered into an Association Agreement with the European Union (EU) in 2016. Now, having received assistance from the IAEA in cooperation with the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Georgia’s State Laboratory of Agriculture (SLA) is able to use a range of analytical techniques, including radio receptor assay, to screen foods for various chemical hazards, such as animal drug residues, and for contaminants, such as mycotoxins, which could otherwise represent risks to human health.The EU Association Agreement requires Georgia to ‘approximate’ its standards, legislation and regulations governing food safety, animal feed and animal production to the existing control mechanisms in the EU by 2027, including inspection, supervision and monitoring. This will enable Georgians to receive and consume safe and good quality foods and will also help ensure that these foods are competitive for international trade, fulfilling the requirements of EU and other markets. Animal products, such as meat and dairy/milk, are considered high-risk products and therefore, to access the EU market, certain requirements, including testing, must be met.Analysis of food samples including milk at the SLA in Georgia (Photo: A. Gulbani/SLA, Georgia)Georgia’s Ministry of Agriculture is one of several government institutions tasked with implementation of the new Association Agreement with the EU. A total of 300 regulations have been promulgated so far, and the implementation of 188, including those related to food safety, is now ongoing. The Ministry of Agriculture depends on the SLA, the national Laboratory for agriculture, to meet its obligations as regards to food safety testing. This laboratory is mandated to monitor chemical residues and related hazards in agricultural products that are a danger to consumers and the market. However, despite its mandated responsibilities, the SLA had only limited capabilities and was unable to adequately meet the needs of the Ministry and the country. For example, it could not analyse pesticides, veterinary drug residues and toxic metals in food. With the support provided through the IAEA technical cooperation programme, this has changed for the better.Following training of several SLA personnel and the provision of technical assistance, including analytical method protocols and equipment the SLA is now able to perform tests that were previously impossible. For example, new tests can be conducted to analyse fish, meat and milk for residues of drugs such as chloramphenicol and nitroimidazoles. Chloramphenicol is prohibited for use in food production in many countries due to its harmful nature to consumers including its potential to cause cancer. Other methods were established for testing pesticides in milk and water as well as residues of sulfonamide and aminoglycoside antimicrobials (associated with antimicrobial resistances) in honey. The number of samples analyzed by the SLA per year has tripled since 2021, an indication of the increased demand for SLA’s service and its improved capabilities.“Improving the sanitary and phytosanitary system, as well as approximation to European standards, enhances the safety of Georgian foods and raises trust on the global market, bolstering the growth of our country’s exports,” said Ana Gulbani, Deputy Director of the SLA in Georgia.“It was a pleasure to see that the implementation of the technical cooperation project made it possible for us to introduce new analytical methods so that the SLA can address gaps in service delivery and meet country needs,” added Gulbani.“The lack of better equipped and well-functioning laboratories is a major bottleneck to a country’s food safety control system, negatively impacting consumer safety and trade of agricultural products. We are very happy to provide technical support to our Member States to assist them in overcoming such challenges,” said Dongxin Feng, Acting Director of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture.The radio receptor assay techniques, which have recently been acquired, utilize the comparative advantage of radioisotopes such as carbon-14 and tritium (H-3). Radiotracers, as the name suggests, can be used to trace and measure even very low levels of these hazards. A large number of food samples can be screened quickly with these techniques, saving analytical costs and time. The radiometric screening of hazards in food is complemented by chromatographic and spectrometric techniques along with stable isotopes such as deuterium (H-2) and carbon-13. By James Sasanya, IAEA Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications & Carmina Jimenez, IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation

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Press Release

30 December 2024

The UN Secretary-General's Message for New Year

Throughout 2024, hope has been hard to find. Wars are causing enormous pain, suffering and displacement. Inequalities and divisions are rife — fueling tensions and mistrust. And today I can officially report that we have just endured a decade of deadly heat. The top ten 10 hottest years on record have happened in the last 10 years, including 2024. This is climate breakdown — in real time. We must exit this road to ruin — and we have no time to lose. In 2025, countries must put the world on a safer path by dramatically slashing emissions, and supporting the transition to a renewable future. It is essential — and it is possible. Even in the darkest days, I’ve seen hope power change. I see hope in activists — young and old — raising their voices for progress. I see hope in the humanitarian heroes overcoming enormous obstacles to support the most vulnerable people. I see hope in developing countries fighting for financial and climate justice. I see hope in the scientists and innovators breaking new ground for humanity. And I saw hope in September, when world leaders came together to adopt the Pact for the Future. The Pact is a new push to build peace through disarmament and prevention. To reform the global financial system so it supports and represents all countries. To push for more opportunities for women and young people. To build guardrails so technologies put people over profits and rights over runaway algorithms. And always, to stick to the values and principles enshrined by human rights, international law and the United Nations Charter. There are no guarantees for what’s ahead in 2025. But I pledge to stand with all those who are working to forge a more peaceful, equal, stable and healthy future for all people. Together, we can make 2025 a new beginning. Not as a world divided. But as nations united.

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Press Release

13 December 2024

Georgia: UN experts concerned by widespread human rights violations amid ongoing protests

UN experts* today condemned a pattern of repression and human rights violations in Georgia, as the Government seeks to suppress spontaneous, popular protests in the country.“We are seeing daily violence by state security forces against peaceful protestors, mass arbitrary arrests and criminalisation, and a smear campaign by the government and state agencies under its control to stigmatise and intimidate protestors, in particular young people, civil society and human rights defenders,” the experts said.Widespread protests have been taking place in Georgian cities and rural areas since the announcement by the Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze on 28 November, that Georgia would suspend its pursuit of accession to the EU. They have been met with a brutal response from the State, with images circulating daily of violent attacks by masked police against peaceful protestors, including misuse of water cannons and tear gas. Protests have been largely peaceful, despite reports of some use of violence by demonstrators, mainly in response to the use of force by police.As of 10 December 2024, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 357 people participating in the protests had been detained. Of those detained, 327 had been visited by the Public Defender of Georgia, with 225 reporting ill-treatment by police and 157 reporting injuries. Protestors are being prosecuted en mass in criminal and administrative courts. However there has been total impunity for the attacks carried out by State forces.“We have been watching with serious and growing concern as the Georgian government has limited the space for freedom of expression, association, assembly and human rights defenders in the country, in particular since February 2023, when the authorities first introduced the draft “foreign agent” law,” the experts said. “Yet with the latest crackdown, the government appears to have moved even closer to full-scale suppression of dissent” which could be worsened if the Law on Assemblies and Manifestations is amended to increase restrictions on protests.”“We are seriously concerned that the repression may escalate, particularly ahead of presidential elections set for Saturday, 14 December. The government must change course immediately and seek national reconciliation, ensuring full respect for human rights,” the experts said.The Special Rapporteurs are in contact with Georgian authorities regarding their concerns. They have cited their previous communications with authorities on the deterioration of the human rights situation in the country, including the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders in March 2024. They expressed their willingness to engage with authorities to improve the human rights situation in Georgia.*The experts: Ms. Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; Ms. Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Ms. Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression.Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.

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Press Release

10 December 2024

High Commissioner Volker Türk Video message on Human Rights Day 2024

Today, as we mark Human Rights Day, I want to focus on what our rights mean. Human rights are about people. They are about you and your life: your needs and wants and fears; your hopes for the present and the future.A safe home. Food and clean water. Health care. Education. Decent work and a liveable minimum wage. To live in peace. To be free to express your opinion. These are your human rights. They are about who we are, and how we live. They are the legal commitments all States have made to serve their people.They are not abstract ideas or ideologies, up for debate at an elite club. Human rights are for the single mother with three jobs, putting her children through school. They are for the child crying for help, buried under the rubble of his home. They are for the poet, imprisoned for a verse that criticized the authorities. For the pensioner with a disability in wartime, trapped in her apartment for months without end. They are for communities living on land poisoned by chemicals. They are for young people who can’t afford a home; and for workers left behind by globalization. They give a voice – and opportunities – to the excluded and forgotten.They are for each and every one of you who feels vulnerable, angry, confused, afraid, disenfranchised, and is seeking better.Human rights don’t belong to any political party, or to any region of the world. They belong to all of us – to every one of you. Today, there are those who are trying to discredit and discard human rights – throwing glitter in our eyes as they redefine and undermine our fundamental freedoms. This is the politics of distraction. And I understand why. Human rights are simple, powerful ideas that motivate people to stand up for themselves – so they pose a threat to autocrats, populists and authoritarians of all kinds. Previous generations fought and even died for human rights. The right to vote. The right to protest. The right to work, and to equal pay for women. The right to be seen, heard, and counted. Our forebears took to the streets, to parliaments and to the courts to fight against colonialism and apartheid, discrimination, inequality, slavery and racism. They built the international human rights system, bringing real improvements to the lives of people around the world.Our humanity is robust. When faced with the greatest obstacles, people transcend their differences and overcome. Today, at another precarious moment for our world, many of you are doing the same – on climate action, on women’s rights, and on peace.The full promise of human rights is still to be fulfilled. The evidence is everywhere. So, I urge you to stay the course. Mobilize. Use your voices and votes. Reach out and connect, to build strong social movements that stand up for your rights and those of future generations. Call on your leaders to work for equality, justice, peace – and all your human rights. On Human Rights Day and every day, I stand with you – to uphold the human rights of everyone, everywhere.

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