**Georgian Dream Outlines Priorities for UN Cooperation**
On May 2, Levan Zhorzholiani, the head of the Georgian government’s administration, met with representatives from United Nations agencies operating in Georgia. The meeting was an opportunity for Zhorzholiani to present the government’s vision and priorities for cooperation between Georgia and the UN over the next five years.
According to the official press release from the Georgian Dream (GD) government, two main areas of focus were identified: the country’s economic growth and the UN’s engagement in Georgia’s Russian-occupied territories. Zhorzholiani emphasized the importance of these priorities, saying that they would form the basis for action plans by UN agencies and relevant ministries in the coming years.
Economic Growth and Equality
The GD government is keen to promote economic growth in Georgia, with a focus on making it “green and inclusive”. This means ensuring that wealth is distributed fairly across rural and urban areas. The goal is to create prosperity for all Georgians, regardless of where they live or their socio-economic background.
UN Involvement in Occupied Territories
The second priority for the GD government is for the UN to engage more effectively in Georgia’s Russian-occupied territories. This includes supporting sustainable development and promoting human rights, particularly for women and children living in these areas.
Consultations with UN Representatives
The May 2 meeting was part of a series of consultations between the UN and partner organizations to set priorities for the next five years. The UN Resident Coordinator, Didier Trebucq, participated in the meeting and highlighted the importance of working together with the GD government to achieve common goals.
Background on Relations Between UN and Georgian Government
The May 2 meeting follows recent engagements between UN officials and the GD government. In March, a meeting was held between Trebucq and GD Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili. The UN press release following that meeting emphasized plans to support sustainable development and promote human rights for women and children.
**Analysis**
The Georgian Dream government’s priorities for cooperation with the UN reflect its focus on economic growth, equality, and development in Georgia’s Russian-occupied territories. By engaging with the UN, the GD government aims to harness international expertise and resources to achieve these goals.
While the GD government’s priorities may be laudable, some critics have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the government’s approach to addressing issues affecting Georgians living in occupied territories. Others have questioned the government’s commitment to promoting human rights and sustainable development more broadly.
As the UN and GD government work together to set priorities for the next five years, it remains to be seen how these goals will be achieved and whether they will benefit all segments of Georgian society.
Read More @ civil.ge
