United Nations Agencies Present Annual Progress Report for Georgia

The United Nations Country Team in Georgia organized a presentation of its achievements in 2018 and its priorities for 2019-2020 to mark progress in pursuing the joint strategy 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. The government was invited to validate the UN results and provide feedback on future plans.

Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia, in his speech delivered at the Joint Steering Committee Meeting of the United Nations and Government of Georgia, stressed the effective and efficient cooperation with the UN and 16 of its system agencies while noting that support and engagement of the organization has played a significant role in it.

“Georgia remains committed to the UN and its mission,” the PM said. “The Joint Strategy, Partnership for Sustainable Development, agreed by and between the UN and the Government of Georgia, covers five priority areas: democratic governance; job creation, living standards and social security; education and healthcare; security and protection of citizens. The Joint Strategy fully complies with the commitments and values of the Government of Georgia. In addition, priorities defined for 2019-2020 within the Joint Strategy are attuned with sector-specific policies and the current reform agenda of my government, thus enabling us to achieve greater success in the effective implementation of reforms and due delivery of the undertakings.”

UN Resident Coordinator Louisa Vinton explained that the 16 UN agencies active in Georgia covered a wide range of areas but that all UN efforts were united under a shared commitment “to leave no-one behind,” the overarching motto of the Sustainable Development Goals. Vinton noted that, at $41.6 million for 2018, the UN financial contribution to development efforts in Georgia was significant, and that total UN annual spending was likely to exceed $50 million in 2019 and 2020. She underlined the gratitude of the UN system for the generous support received from the donor community.

UN achievements were presented 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 many achievements supported by the UN system in 2018 were:

• Assisting the Parliament in undertaking its new role in the political system;

• Adoption of a new Labor Safety Law;

• Providing free legal aid to 50,000 persons;

• Promoting mediation and arbitration as alternative dispute resolution mechanisms;

• Adopting a new Tobacco Law to fight the harm to health caused by smoking;

• Supporting improvements in preschool and primary teaching;

• Adapting the VET system to diversify rural occupations and help professionalize farming;

• Providing humanitarian assistance to at-risk groups in conflict-affected regions; and

• Launching a $70 million program to reduce the risk of floods and other natural disasters.

Organized by the United Nations Office in Georgia, the event brought together representatives of the Georgian government, Parliament, civil society, diplomatic missions and international organizations.