United Nations Country Team presents annual progress report for Georgia

The United Nations Country Team in Georgia today organized a presentation of its achievements in 2020 to report progress in pursuing the joint UN-Georgia strategy “Partnership for Sustainable Development” agreed with the Government for 2016-2020. The event was designed to underscore the commitment by the UN agencies to “Deliver as One” in alignment with national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Ilia Darchiashvili, Head of the Administration of the Government of Georgia, in his speech at the virtual presentation stressed the effective and efficient cooperation with the UN.

“Next year marks the 30th anniversary of Georgia’s membership in the UN. Over these decades, UN support and engagement have been instrumental to the success of our country and today I would like to, once again, thank the UN on behalf of our government. It has been a long journey with growing cooperation to achieve a world where no one is left behind. Throughout this time Georgia has become more actively engaged within the important ongoing processes at the UN, often playing a leading role in different intergovernmental negotiations and consultations across all three pillars of the UN,” said Ilia Darchiashvili. “We look forward to continuing our partnership and remain open and ready for further active cooperation with the UN Country Team. We believe that with joint efforts in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we can make the world a better place for everyone.”

Mr. Darchiashvili outlined some areas of fruitful UN-Georgia cooperation: advancement of the sustainable development agenda, strengthening human rights and improvement of socio-economic conditions in Georgia, including the improved resilience of conflict-affected communities. He expressed particular appreciation to the UN Country Team for the dedicated efforts and continued support rendered to Georgia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

UN Resident Coordinator Sabine Machl underlined the shared commitment to leave no one behind, the overarching motto of the Sustainable Development Goals. She noted that, at USD 57.5 million for 2020, the UN contribution to development efforts in Georgia represented a significant financial mobilization.

“In 2020, the UN Country Team in Georgia continued to closely work with the Government, Parliament, civil society as well as many other partners to provide assistance in the areas of socio-economic development, protection of the environment, strengthening the rule of law, human rights, gender equality and democratic values, reinforcing social justice, making quality education and healthcare available to all," said Sabine Machl.

She noted that because of the COVID-19 pandemic the UN Country Team has repurposed over USD 20 million to strengthen institutions at the national and local level to prevent and address the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on human lives and livelihoods, with the main focus on the most vulnerable.

Both, Mr. Darchiashvili and Ms. Machl highlighted their expectation that the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework – which was signed after intensive consultations throughout last year – will yet give new impetus to the Georgia-UN cooperation for the coming five years.

Marine Chitashvili, Team Leader of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, presented the UN’s achievements in five main areas: 1) Democratic governance; 2) Jobs, livelihoods and social protection; 3) Education; 4) Health; and 5) Human security and community resilience. Among the main achievements in 2020, she outlined: support to the elaboration and adoption of the Code on the Rights of the Child, the 2021-2030 Migration Strategy and the National Youth Policy for 2020-2030; supporting improvements in preschool and primary teaching; support to the government’s implementation of the Decentralization Strategy for 2020-2025; developing the system for vocational education and training to diversify rural occupations and help professionalize farming; assistance to vulnerable groups in conflict-affected communities, and formulating climate change policies and supporting the reduction of the risk of floods and other climate-driven disasters benefitting up to 1.7 million people (40% of population).

Organised by the United Nations Country Team in Georgia, the event brought together representatives of the Georgian parliament and government ministries.