Georgia receives international acclaim for diaspora support policies at global migration forum
Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Konstantinidi at the 14th Summit of the Global Forum on Migration and Development. Photo: GFMD
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International organisations have commended Georgia's state policy towards the diaspora and programmes supporting young expats at the 14th Summit of the Global Forum on Migration and Development in Geneva this week, the Georgian foreign office said on Friday.
Led by Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimer Konstantinidi, the Georgian delegation participated in the Summit held between Tuesday and Thursday and themed “from environmental concerns to cultural aspects of migration: adopting an inclusive approach to meet the challenges and increases the opportunities for human mobility”.
Giorgi Jashi, the Executive Secretary of the Government Commission on Migration Issues, also represented Georgia at the global forum, the Ministry noted.
The Georgian delegation shared the Government's current policies, ongoing initiatives and future plans during a dedicated round table on diaspora issues, discussing the role of diaspora in sustainable development.
International partners at the event praised Georgia's state policies and programmes, specifically those supporting young diasporas and enhancing their involvement in national development”, the Ministry stressed.
In his remarks, Konstantinidi highlighted the effectiveness of his body’s programme for young compatriots living abroad, entitled Become a Young Ambassador of Your Country, and elaborated on the broader Government policy supporting the diaspora during a “high-level” working session on Multilevel Governance.
He further emphasised Georgia's commitment to promoting diaspora participation in the national development agenda, citing constitutional and national strategy support.
The Georgian delegation also stressed the active involvement of various Government agencies, the Parliament’s Diaspora Relations Committee and diaspora organisations, noting the entities “actively contribute” to ongoing Government programmes aimed at supporting the diaspora and aligning with priorities defined by the state strategy.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Thursday highlighted the “special role” of the diaspora in overcoming the existing challenges and strengthening the “positive image” outside the country in a meeting with the heads of Georgian diaspora organisations in Greece and winners of the diaspora initiative projects.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Thursday discussed the country’s progress on its Euro-Atlantic integration path and ways to further improve communication with Georgian communities abroad in a meeting with members of the country’s diaspora in Italy.
Select members of the Georgian diaspora abroad were on Friday awarded for promoting the country’s culture abroad and contributing to public diplomacy and economic development.
Officials and professionals in Tbilisi discussed the importance of diaspora in promoting Georgian culture abroad in a forum dedicated to cultural diplomacy, digital diaspora and more on Saturday, the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.