Peace and security ‘essential’ for Georgia's long-term development, PM

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Thursday said that “unprecedented economic growth” alone was not sufficient to ensure development, arguing that peace, security, education and innovation were  equally important for the country's future prosperity.

Speaking at the opening of the 16th Tbilisi Regional Sustainable Development Forum, Kobakhidze said Georgia remained committed to pursuing policies aimed at strengthening sovereignty, economic resilience and long-term stability.

The prime minister said Tbilisi had continued its tradition of hosting the forum, which he described as an important international platform for dialogue and discussion on global challenges.

He noted that this year's theme -Transforming together: Innovative and equitable actions for the SDGs - had become increasingly relevant amid ongoing international tensions and geopolitical uncertainty.

Kobakhidze said that, at a time when major powers were urging smaller countries to align with competing blocs, the effective use of diplomacy had become particularly important. He added that discussions on complex geopolitical issues were essential for identifying ways to safeguard Georgia's national security and economic sustainability.

The prime minister highlighted several themes on the forum's agenda, including sovereignty, energy security, the role of large hydropower projects in achieving energy independence, human capital development, innovation and sustainable urban reforms.

He also stressed the importance of peace, saying that long-term stability was a prerequisite for both progress and prosperity.

"For us, development is not limited to unprecedented economic growth figures," Kobakhidze said. "We firmly believe that achieving progress requires peace, security, quality education, innovation and people-centred policies that create real prosperity for current and future generations."

Kobakhidze expressed confidence that the strategic ideas and discussions emerging from the forum would contribute to shaping a stronger, safer and more sovereign future for Georgia.