Parliament Speaker highlights ‘vital role’ of diaspora at annual forum

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Tuesday highlighted the “enduring connection” between Georgia and its diasporas, describing the annual Diaspora Forum as a “cherished tradition that unites fellow Georgians living across Europe, America, and Asia”.

The annual forum, a key event celebrating Georgia’s global community, was held with high-level attendance including President Mikheil Kavelashvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, and Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili.

“Wherever we are, our hearts beat for Georgia. Our homeland, our land, and our native people always hold a special place in our memory,” Papuashvili said.

He highlighted the diaspora’s role as a “crucial bridge” between Georgia and the wider world, noting their contributions to promoting Georgian culture, traditions, and national interests abroad. Against a backdrop of “rising disinformation,” Papuashvili stressed the importance of diaspora representatives in shaping Georgia’s international image.

“Whether in business, art, or education, our diaspora are often the ambassadors of our people and storytellers of our history,” he added.

The Speaker also spoke about the Georgian Parliament’s commitment to strengthening ties with diasporas through legislative frameworks designed to protect their rights and support their initiatives. Many cultural and educational programmes, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ recent Georgian Calligraphy competition for Sunday school students, aim to preserve national identity among young Georgians abroad, he claimed.

Papuashvili also praised the efforts of Georgian diplomatic missions, particularly recognising Giorgi Tabatadze, Consul General in Frankfurt am Main, with an award for his exceptional service to the diaspora community in Germany.

“The future of Georgia lies in the hands of the Georgian people worldwide. We are ready to continue dialogue and cooperation with our diasporas for a bright, peaceful, and successful future,” Papuashvili concluded.

The forum brought together representatives from across Georgia’s political spectrum and the Georgian Church.