PM Garibashvili engages in UN events with world leaders

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has spoken at two important events and met a number of world leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, within the 70th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States (US).

It was nice to meet and have friendly conversation with #AngelaMerkel#UNGA .@UNpic.twitter.com/f3td3NpBf5

— Irakli Garibashvili (@PrimeMinisterGE) September 27, 2015

Garibashvili delivered a speech at yesterday’s interactive dialogue on Protecting Our Planet and Combating Climate Change, where he confirmed Georgia’s commitment to Green Growth was "steadfast”.

"Because of our unique geographical location and varied climate Georgia is extremely vulnerable to climate change,” the Georgian Prime Minister said.

The tragedy of #13June#TbilisiFlood has become an additional driver for us to tackle #climate change with redoubled vigour #UNGA

— Irakli Garibashvili (@PrimeMinisterGE) September 27, 2015

He recalled back to earlier this summer when Georgia’s capital city Tbilisi suffered severe flooding, which had a drastic impact on human lives and infrastructure.

"The tragedy has become an additional driver for us to tackle climate change with redoubled vigour,” Garibashvili said.

"We do so by boosting investments in low carbon technologies throughout Georgia, which will reduce the vulnerability of highly exposed communities. Georgia is therefore taking steps to integrate climate risk and resilience into core development planning and implementation.”

Going Green

Garibashvili stressed Georgia was committed to develop and adopt the Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA) and Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD).

"Georgia supports green economic development by promoting modern environmental technologies, developing clean transport services and ensuring the transfer to Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP),” he said.

The PM noted his country planned to unconditionally reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 15 percent below the ‘Business As Usual’ scenario (BAU) for the year 2030.

"But we need international support. Access to finance that allows Georgia to invest in new technologies to substantially limit GHG emissions is crucial for us,” he said.

"In order to create a sustainable future and safeguard the planet for future generations, necessary steps must be taken today.”

High-profile meetings

On September 27 Garibahsvili spoke at the Global Leaders' Meeting on Gender Equality and Woman’s Empowerment.

"Gender equality is fundamental to democracy and sustainable development,” the PM said.

"2015 is the year of women in Georgia" @PrimeMinisterGE makes strong commitments to advance gender equality #UNGApic.twitter.com/Z4DD6tDZWw

— UN Women Europe &CIS (@unwomeneca) September 27, 2015

He recalled in 1994 Georgia signed and ratified the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, and since then Georgia had worked hard to implement its commitments.

"Georgia fully recognises the benefits of enhancing women’s participation at all levels of decision-making processes,” Garibashvili said.

"My Government benefits from the leadership of female Ministers of Defence, of Justice and of Education. Critical positions such as that of secretary of the National Security Council, chair of the Central Election Commission of Georgia, and chair of the Supreme Court of Georgia are also held by women.”

Garibashvili stressed 2015 was the Year of Women in Georgia and also made concrete future commitments from the UN tribune. He said:

• Georgia would continue to update, enhance and develop next phases of Gender Equality, Domestic Violence and Women, Peace and Security National Action Plans.
• The country would enhance its institutional mechanisms on gender by setting up and resourcing an inter-ministerial commission on gender under my leadership.
• Georgia would continue to update and reform its legal system. The PM said it was planned to amend Labour Code of Georgia to significantly enhance the protection of female employees’ rights.
• The country would also work with development partners, the UN family and civil society to jointly address the practice of early marriages.
• Georgia would initiate dedicated awareness raising campaigns on specific priority issues such as combatting violence against women and girls and domestic violence, and prevention of early marriages.

On the sideline of the UN Summit, Garibashvili also met and discussed bilateral relations with the President of the Guyana in South America, the President of Togo in West Africa and the Vice President of Equatorial Guinea.

Attended the .@clintonglobal initiative annual meeting opening ceremony #UNGA70#CGI2015pic.twitter.com/oWMhqWD4gc

— Irakli Garibashvili (@PrimeMinisterGE) September 27, 2015

Alongside numerous world leaders, Garibashvili also attended the opening ceremony of the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting, where he met former US President Bill Clinton.