UNFPA official visits Georgia

The Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Babatunde Osotimehin has arrived in Georgia on official business.

Osotimehin is in Georgia to attend the UNFPA regional meeting in the capacity of being part of the East European and Central Asian regions.

Today, Osotimehin met with country’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and the President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili to discuss the Fund’s cooperation with the Georgian Government.

Osotimehin believed Georgia played "a great role” in global conversation in the new development agenda.

"It was a very pleasant meeting with the President of Georgia. We review the 15-year collaboration we have with the people of Georgia,” Osotimehin said this afternoon.

"We still have to do work in equalities, access for women and girls and child mortality. We are encouraged to see Georgia has a dynamic Government and the President was committed not only to say but to act, because there are commitments in the budget. These social investments will help ensure progress in the lives of the people of Georgia.”

UNFPA has cooperated with the Georgian Government for many years in work to prevent breast cancer and ovarian cancer by financing a method of early detection of the diseases.

"At present the screening program, which began in 2008, is being successfully implemented. The Fund's purpose is to create an environment in which the pregnancy is wanted, the birth is safe and young people can fully develop their potential," the Fund website stated.

Priorities of the Fund's activities for 2014 were discussed at the meeting by about 110 representatives of regional national bureaus today, February 17.

UNFPA partners with Governments, other agencies and civil society will help advance UNFPA's mission.