President Kavelashvili highlights energy security at World Forum on Energy Regulation in Tbilisi

Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili attended the opening ceremony of the ninth World Forum on Energy Regulation (WFER IX) in Tbilisi, where he highlighted the importance of energy independence to national sovereignty and security.

The forum, hosted by the Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission (GNERC), is being held in Tbilisi from 21 to 24 September and has brought together up to 1,000 high-ranking delegates from Georgia and abroad. It is the first time Georgia has hosted the event.

Representatives of the executive and legislative branches, international organisations, energy associations and donor institutions are taking part in the forum.

In his address, Kavelashvili said that energy security had become an integral part of national security in the current geopolitical environment.

“Global energy security, a healthy investment environment and the development of renewable energy are prerequisites for the development of every state,” Kavelashvili said.

He said Georgia had opportunities to develop its own energy resources and strengthen its role in the energy space connecting Europe and Asia.

The president also pointed to Georgia’s participation in the Energy Community and reforms to the country’s energy market, saying they had helped establish a transparent, competitive and predictable regulatory framework aimed at protecting consumers and strengthening investor confidence.

Kavelashvili highlighted the proposed Black Sea Submarine Electricity Cable, saying the project could create new opportunities for Georgia’s energy connectivity with Europe and contribute to the development of the South Caucasus as a regional centre for green energy.