United for Sustainable Progress

It also marked the final year of the 2021–2025 UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework — a five-year partnership between Georgia and the United Nations focused on improving people’s lives and supporting inclusive development across the country.

As Georgia continued to face economic changes, social transformation, and regional challenges, the United Nations worked closely with government institutions, civil society, local communities, and development partners to help create fair and sustainable opportunities for everyone.

In the report’s foreword, UN Resident Coordinator Didier Trebucq described 2025 as “a pivotal year for the partnership between Georgia and the United Nations.” He emphasized the importance of cooperation, open dialogue, and inclusive development, highlighting the UN’s role as a trusted partner that brings different groups together to find solutions and support joint action.

The report highlights progress made under the 2021–2025 Cooperation Framework, especially in democratic governance, human rights, social inclusion, economic resilience, and climate action. Throughout the year, UN agencies supported reforms aimed at strengthening public institutions, improving access to quality services, promoting human rights, and creating more opportunities for women and young people.

Strengthening governance and protecting human rights remained key priorities. Programmes focused on building accountable institutions, improving access to justice, supporting women’s participation in decision-making, and encouraging democratic governance. Civil society organizations, municipalities, and public institutions worked together to increase transparency and citizen participation, especially among women and youth. The report stresses that strong institutions are essential for long-term stability, public trust, and inclusive development.

Improving access to essential services also remained central to the UN’s work. In remote regions and vulnerable communities, UN agencies supported better healthcare, education, and social protection systems. Inclusive and gender-sensitive approaches helped ensure that persons with disabilities, children, women, and marginalized groups were not left behind. These efforts reflected the UN’s broader commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and international human rights standards.

Economic resilience was another major focus throughout the year. The UN supported entrepreneurship, innovation, local development, and inclusive economic opportunities to help ensure that economic growth improved people’s daily lives. Youth employment, women’s economic empowerment, digital transformation, and support for green businesses became important priorities across many programmes.

Special attention was given to vulnerable and conflict-affected communities. Through targeted programmes, the UN helped strengthen social protection systems, support livelihoods, and build long-term resilience. Efforts focused on dignity, inclusion, and sustainable support for internally displaced persons and communities living near administrative boundary lines. Beyond addressing immediate needs, these initiatives aimed to strengthen trust and community resilience over time.

At the same time, the UN continued supporting Georgia’s environmental and climate goals through green development initiatives and climate policy assistance. From sustainable natural resource management to climate resilience and green transition programmes, environmental sustainability has become increasingly linked to social and economic development. Support for climate policy, sustainable agriculture, and environmental protection reflected Georgia’s growing commitment to greener development pathways.

Among the key achievements supported by the UN system in 2025 were:

• Georgia adopted its most ambitious climate commitment to date through the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), increasing the country’s target from a 35 percent to a 47 percent net greenhouse gas reduction by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
• Food safety governance improved with the adoption of the Law on Food Loss and Waste Reduction and Food Donation, along with a new Food Safety Strategy and Food Waste Management Concept.
• Important legal and policy reforms were introduced to prevent early marriage, strengthen parental leave policies, expand gender-responsive and child-rights-based budgeting, and improve access to justice. In total, 1,511 vulnerable individuals received legal aid services. 

Beyond the achievements and policy reforms, however, the report’s greatest success may have been collaboration itself. More than 21 UN entities worked together with the Government of Georgia, municipalities, civil society organizations, academia, development partners, and the private sector throughout the year. The new 2026–2030 Cooperation Framework was also developed through consultations with more than 300 stakeholders across the country, reflecting a strong commitment to making future development efforts more inclusive, participatory, and responsive to people’s needs.

The report concludes that strong partnerships and a continued commitment to human rights, equality, and sustainability remain essential to ensuring that no one is left behind in Georgia’s development journey.