Georgia
(Please check against delivery)
Statement by Ms. Nino Tkhilava, Head of the Department of Environmental Policy
and International Relations, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources
Protection of Georgia
at the general debate on the theme "Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in
a changing world"
Ministerial meeting of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
(HLPF), convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
Mr. President,
Distinguished delegates,
New York, 19 July 2017
After almost 2 years since the adoption of the "2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development"
we gather in New York to assess achieved progress. While more work needs to be done, we
are glad to observe advancements in many directions.
In my country the Government has offered a high-level political support to incorporating
SDGs into national priorities. Georgia was one of the 22 countries that presented National
Voluntary Reviews at the HLPF last summer. Since then, the number of goals and targets
identified as the national priorities has grown up to 17 and 90 respectively and verifiable
indicators for tracking the progress were defined.
In May 2017, the Government established the SDG Coordination Council to further advance
the dialogue on SDGs implementation. The Council will bring together sectoral task forces
committed to plan, monitor and evaluate relevant policies. An innovative approach is the
development of an electronic monitoring system to distribute up-to-date information about
the performance of public agencies on the SDG targets.
Mr. President,
Economic growth is a key enabler for the eradication of poverty. Understanding that
business is a driving force of economic development, facilitation of private sector
development remains one of the main priorities of our economic policy. Along with
improving the investment environment, Georgia is providing an opportunity for creative
thinkers to utilize their entrepreneurial talents and innovative potential by the country's
first High Technology and Innovation Development Centre - the Technology Park.
At the same time, promoting green growth is considered as a main path towards the
implementation of the SDGs. In this context, let me highlight the importance of the 8th
Environment for Europe Ministerial Conference of UNECE - "Batumi Ministerial" - hosted
by Georgia last year that played a significant role in fostering global action for promoting
green economy and improving air quality for a better environment and human health.
Mr. President,
Specific measures have been taken in the country to alleviate extreme poverty levels and
assist the poor and vulnerable through social protection systems. This includes changes to
Targeted Social Assistance programme providing cash benefits for those under extreme
poverty line.
Major step towards securing enjoyment of health rights was the launch of a Universal
Health Care Program in 2013, leading to a major expansion in population entitlement to
publicly financed health services. This covers the basic package of the planned and
emergency in- and out-patient clinical care, including oncology and maternity services.
To address the SDG 2, the Agricultural Development Strategy for 2015-2020 envisages the
fostering of competitiveness in agro-food sector, steady growth of high quality agricultural
production, food safety and security. Furthermore, the strategy promotes good and climate
smart agricultural practices, biodiversity and environmental sustainability programs, and
gene bank development for conservation of agro-diversity and endemic species.
Mr. President,
Ensuring gender equality, empowerment of women and combating violence against women
remain on top of Georgia's priorities. At the executive level, the Inter-Agency Commission
has been established to promote gender mainstreaming into Government policies.
All targets that the Government has prioritized are already considered as the first order
country financing priorities. The key challenge identified is a lack of data, which
demonstrates substantial need for upgrading Georgia's national statistical research
capacities. This will require additional training, financing and human capital.
Having a good understanding of the role of partnerships, the Government will promote
Public Private Partnerships (PPP) as part of its four point-reform plan.
In conclusion, let me reiterate that international cooperation and involvement of
stakeholders has an immense role to play in successful implementation of the 2030
Agenda.
* * *
Statement by Ms. Nino Tkhilava, Head of the Department of Environmental Policy
and International Relations, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources
Protection of Georgia
at the general debate on the theme "Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in
a changing world"
Ministerial meeting of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
(HLPF), convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
Mr. President,
Distinguished delegates,
New York, 19 July 2017
After almost 2 years since the adoption of the "2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development"
we gather in New York to assess achieved progress. While more work needs to be done, we
are glad to observe advancements in many directions.
In my country the Government has offered a high-level political support to incorporating
SDGs into national priorities. Georgia was one of the 22 countries that presented National
Voluntary Reviews at the HLPF last summer. Since then, the number of goals and targets
identified as the national priorities has grown up to 17 and 90 respectively and verifiable
indicators for tracking the progress were defined.
In May 2017, the Government established the SDG Coordination Council to further advance
the dialogue on SDGs implementation. The Council will bring together sectoral task forces
committed to plan, monitor and evaluate relevant policies. An innovative approach is the
development of an electronic monitoring system to distribute up-to-date information about
the performance of public agencies on the SDG targets.
Mr. President,
Economic growth is a key enabler for the eradication of poverty. Understanding that
business is a driving force of economic development, facilitation of private sector
development remains one of the main priorities of our economic policy. Along with
improving the investment environment, Georgia is providing an opportunity for creative
thinkers to utilize their entrepreneurial talents and innovative potential by the country's
first High Technology and Innovation Development Centre - the Technology Park.
At the same time, promoting green growth is considered as a main path towards the
implementation of the SDGs. In this context, let me highlight the importance of the 8th
Environment for Europe Ministerial Conference of UNECE - "Batumi Ministerial" - hosted
by Georgia last year that played a significant role in fostering global action for promoting
green economy and improving air quality for a better environment and human health.
Mr. President,
Specific measures have been taken in the country to alleviate extreme poverty levels and
assist the poor and vulnerable through social protection systems. This includes changes to
Targeted Social Assistance programme providing cash benefits for those under extreme
poverty line.
Major step towards securing enjoyment of health rights was the launch of a Universal
Health Care Program in 2013, leading to a major expansion in population entitlement to
publicly financed health services. This covers the basic package of the planned and
emergency in- and out-patient clinical care, including oncology and maternity services.
To address the SDG 2, the Agricultural Development Strategy for 2015-2020 envisages the
fostering of competitiveness in agro-food sector, steady growth of high quality agricultural
production, food safety and security. Furthermore, the strategy promotes good and climate
smart agricultural practices, biodiversity and environmental sustainability programs, and
gene bank development for conservation of agro-diversity and endemic species.
Mr. President,
Ensuring gender equality, empowerment of women and combating violence against women
remain on top of Georgia's priorities. At the executive level, the Inter-Agency Commission
has been established to promote gender mainstreaming into Government policies.
All targets that the Government has prioritized are already considered as the first order
country financing priorities. The key challenge identified is a lack of data, which
demonstrates substantial need for upgrading Georgia's national statistical research
capacities. This will require additional training, financing and human capital.
Having a good understanding of the role of partnerships, the Government will promote
Public Private Partnerships (PPP) as part of its four point-reform plan.
In conclusion, let me reiterate that international cooperation and involvement of
stakeholders has an immense role to play in successful implementation of the 2030
Agenda.
* * *
Stakeholders