The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid, will undertake an official visit to Georgia from 23 to 26 July, at the invitation of the Government. The working visit will focus on the 30th anniversary of Georgia’s membership in the United Nations, sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, implementation of Agenda 2030, sustainable tourism, youth and women issues, as well as strengthening multilateralism on topics related to the Presidency of Hope.
The President of the General Assembly is scheduled to call on President Salome Zourabichvili.
He is also expected to meet separately with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.
On 25 July, President Shahid will meet with Mr. Ilia Darchiashvili, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Topics to be raised will include the priority areas of the Presidency of Hope, namely recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, sustainable development, responding to the needs of the planet, respecting the rights of all, and revitalizing the United Nations.
During his visit to the Parliament of Georgia, President Shahid will meet with Mr. Shalva Papuashvili, Chairman of the Parliament. He will also visit the Public Service Hall, showcasing Georgia’s public administration and open governance reforms, transparency and accountability, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 16.
In 2012, the Public Service Hall was awarded the United Nations Public Service Award.
During this official visit, President Shahid will also have opportunities to meet with representatives of youth and women civil society groups.
He will undertake several field visits. One will be to meet with internally displaced persons. The UN General Assembly passed a resolution 76/267 on “Status of internally displaced persons and refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, Georgia” in June of this year, recognizing, inter alia, the right of return in safety and dignity for all internally displaced persons to their homes.
President Shahid will also use this visit to focus on recovery of the tourism sector, support for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and local culture.
The President of the General Assembly will meet and interact with the UN Country Team, led by Ms. Kemlin Furley, Resident Coordinator a.i., UNHCR Representative in Georgia, to see how the UN agencies in Georgia are supporting these efforts.
The President will travel with five personnel from his Office. The trip is paid for by the Government of Georgia and the OPGA Trust Fund.
