The XVI Tbilisi Regional Forum on Sustainable Development is underway, organised by the Economic Development Service of the Capital City Hall. The official opening ceremony was presided over by Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, who delivered an address.

Mayor Kaladze extended his thanks to President of Georgia Mikheil Kavelashvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Speaker of Parliament Shalva Papuashvili, and City Council Chairman Zurab Abashidze for attending the event.

“I welcome and extend my gratitude to the representatives of the executive and legislative bodies, and to our young people. I also extend a warm welcome to our distinguished foreign guests: Professor John Mearsheimer, Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Member of the European Parliament Michael von der Schulenburg, and Member of the European Parliament Ruth Firmenich.

I am delighted that Tbilisi is once again hosting the XVI Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, whose central theme is ‘Sustainable Development for Socio-Economic Well-being.’ Economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection are the fundamental pillars without which long-term national development is impossible. Georgia’s economic growth figures give us hope that we are moving in the right direction,” Mayor Kaladze stated.

In his address, the Mayor also reiterated that Tbilisi continues to have the opportunity to foster new partnerships and attract investment.

“We all understand very well that sustainable development is not merely a matter of statistics and economic indicators. It is about the well-being of our citizens, the improvement of their quality of life, thriving cities, new infrastructure, new enterprises, and jobs. It is socio-economic prosperity rooted in genuine care for our people.

I am pleased to highlight that Tbilisi, as a centre of regional cooperation and dialogue, has the opportunity to foster new partnerships, attract investment, share innovative ideas, and advance sustainable development.

I believe that only through unity, a shared sense of responsibility, and common purpose will we be able to create a truly dignified environment for all,” Kaladze declared.

Alongside the Mayor, the event was attended by Deputy Mayor Giorgi Tkemaladze, Deputy Mayors Irakli Bendeliani, Andria Basilaia, and Kakha Abuladze, along with other representatives of the city administration.

The Forum brings together representatives of Georgia’s central and local government, members of parliament, leaders of international and regional organisations, foreign and Georgian experts, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps, academic circles, and the business sector. Among the participants are 50 delegates from 20 different countries.

The programme includes high-level plenary sessions and thematic panel discussions.

The Tbilisi Regional Forum was established in 2007 as a Local Economic Development (LED) initiative. It serves as a platform for examining economic, social, environmental, technological, and geopolitical processes. It was within this framework that the “Peace Platform” was created, under which high-level discussions on the interconnection between peace, stability, and development are held annually.