“The resolution adopted within the scope of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on the Status of IDPs and Refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, Georgia, is a big success of Georgian diplomacy,” said Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ilia Darchiashvili.

The Foreign Minister expressed gratitude to the countries that supported the resolution and showed sympathy for the hundreds of thousands of Georgian IDPs.

“Like in previous years, this year, the UN member countries had the opportunity to be co-authors of the resolution and thus engage in efforts to resolve the issue. Sixty-four UN member countries joined the ranks of the co-sponsors of the resolution,” the Minister said.

Ilia Darchiashvili remarked that the resolution’s adoption means that Georgia remains on the agenda of the world’s top international forum.

According to the FM, internally displaced persons should know that the international community pays attention to their problems.

“Georgian diplomatic service constantly works on the issue to intensify the support of the international community. The resolution stresses the right of IDPs to return to their homes safely and with dignity and emphasizes the need to carry out humanitarian activities uninterruptedly.

The resolution also calls on participants of Geneva negotiators to intensify their efforts to improve the security and human rights situation in the Russia-occupied regions of Georgia,” Darchiashvili said.

The 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on June 4 adopted a resolution reaffirming the right of return to all displaced persons and refugees to Georgia’s occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions. The vote resulted in 103 countries in favour, nine against, and 52 abstentions. According to the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Georgia has presented the resolution at the UNGA since 2008.

The number of votes in favour increased from 100 to 103 countries compared to last year. Three more countries – Argentina, Armenia and South Africa voted pro this year.