President of Georgia Mikheil Kavelashvili Addresses the 16th Tbilisi Regional Forum on Sustainable Development

The President of Georgia, Mikheil Kavelashvili, attended the 16^th Tbilisi Regional Forum on Sustainable Development and addressed the participants.

As Mikheil Kavelashvili noted, in an era of global uncertainty and media-generated perceptions, particular importance is attached to the policy vector to which the current government of Georgia remains committed.

"I am pleased that the Tbilisi City Hall is once again hosting the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, whose title, 'Connecting the South Caucasus for a Sustainable Future,' precisely corresponds to the geopolitical and existential challenges facing our region and the world at large. Today, we are witnessing the unfolding of an entirely new chapter in the history of humanity. The international order is undergoing fundamental transformation. The world is transitioning from a unipolar system to a multipolar international order, while the future is becoming increasingly uncertain and unpredictable. The sustainable and just resolution of conflicts has become even more difficult, and global peace today is more fragile than ever before. For this very reason, in international relations, the factors of power, hard realism, and pragmatism are moving to the forefront. In an era of global uncertainty and media-generated perceptions, particular importance is attached to the strategic direction to which the current government of Georgia remains committed: peace, stability, sustainable development, sovereignty, the protection of national interests, and standing guard over truth," the President of Georgia stated.

According to him, following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the transformation of the international order has further accelerated, placing Georgia before the most acute challenges.

"As a result of the war in Ukraine, the transformation of the international order has further accelerated, and Georgia has been exposed to the most severe challenges. It is sufficient to note that, over the past several years, our government has on five occasions thwarted externally organized attempts to destabilize the country and carry out a coup d'état," Mikheil Kavelashvili stated.

According to the President of Georgia, society has managed to critically assess ongoing global developments and to pursue the uncompromising defense of its national interests.

"Despite unprecedented domestic and external challenges, we have not only maintained peace but also ensured sustainable economic growth. Our society has been able to critically assess ongoing global developments, preserve objective perception, and uncompromisingly defend its national interests. It is through the vigilance and solidarity of the Georgian people that we have succeeded in initiating a path toward genuine sovereignty.

We are fully aware that, in a rapidly changing world, the path to survival lies in safeguarding peace and pursuing a balanced, multi-vector foreign policy. This constitutes the solid foundation upon which the country's sustainable economic development is built. These principles must also underpin the future of the South Caucasus. Our region should become not a theater of geopolitical confrontation, but rather a model space for stability, trade and economic cooperation, peaceful coexistence, and dialogue among civilizations," stated Mikheil Kavelashvili.

As the President of Georgia stated in his address, the long-term strengthening of the country is inconceivable without a profound understanding and appreciation of its ancient culture and rich history.

"However, mere physical survival and economic progress are not sufficient. The long-term empowerment of our country is unimaginable without a deep comprehension and internalization of our ancestral culture and rich historical heritage. Our past provides the solid foundation upon which a modern, strong, and sovereign state must be built. I am confident that, grounded in these values, the Forum will serve as a productive platform for sharing new ideas and perspectives, thereby enabling our country and the region to respond to current challenges with dignity," stated Mikheil Kavelashvili.

The event was attended by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chairman of Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, the Mayor of Tbilisi, Kakha Kaladze, as well as representatives of the executive, legislative and local government branches.

The forum brings together representatives of Georgia's central and local authorities, members of Parliament, heads of international and regional organizations, foreign and Georgian experts, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps, academia and the business sector.