“I am pleased that we are once again hosting a high-level discussion that brings together representatives of politics, economics, academia, and international organizations around a common goal — to discuss the challenges facing our region and the world today”, - said the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, H.E. Shalva Papuashvili, while addressing the 16th Tbilisi Regional Forum on Sustainable Development.

According to the Speaker, the forum is taking place in a complex international environment. The global security architecture is facing significant challenges. Geopolitical competition is intensifying, conflicts are becoming more acute, and economic and energy-related challenges are affecting both states and the daily lives of individual citizens.

“In such circumstances, the ability of a state to be guided by its national interests, accurately assess the environment, and make responsible decisions becomes especially important.

Georgia’s choice is based precisely on such an approach. In international politics, Georgia stands out for its determination, pragmatism, and sense of responsibility. We believe that the primary obligation of the state is to ensure the security, well-being, and development of its citizens. It is through this principle that we assess international developments and build partnerships with countries around the world”, - stated Shalva Papuashvili.

According to him, commitment to national interests and consideration of the distribution of international power should remain a state’s principal guiding principles.

“It is remarkable to witness the widespread disregard of this realistic truth in today’s world, particularly amid calls for ideological uniformity and the suppression of critical thinking. It is often enough to align oneself with a global ideology and accept its unconditional truths to receive favorable treatment, praise, assistance in elections, and even tolerance of violations of the rule of law or human rights.

Conversely, those who do not conform to the ideological constraints of liberal internationalism are stigmatized, marginalized, and excluded. This is why we believe that the modern world needs more dialogue, greater mutual respect, and less ideological confrontation. Under conditions of international political polarization, collective thinking, disregard for critical opinions, the imposition of ideological constraints, and intolerance of pluralism are increasingly taking root. We remember how the general line of the Communist Party operated, how dissenting opinions were punished, and it is regrettable that we observe similar phenomena on an international scale today. It is also evident that, in the absence of strong arguments, moral grandstanding has become a refuge. Moralistic rhetoric filled with pathos is increasingly becoming the norm in international political discourse, and we see this reflected in some assessments of Georgia’s foreign policy. Georgia’s foreign policy serves two primary domestic objectives: the restoration of Georgia’s territorial integrity and the improvement of the population’s well-being. Therefore, if morality is to be the measure of foreign policy, then for Georgia, a moral foreign policy is one that brings us closer to these goals without plunging the country into war and chaos”, - the Speaker stated.

As Shalva Papuashvili noted, the Georgian people clearly see the results of the government’s policies, which will ultimately lead to the outcomes desired by the country.

“The interim results of our government’s pragmatic, realistic, and rational policies are clearly recognized by the thoughtful part of the international community that understands the fundamental principles of international politics. Most importantly, the results of our policies are evident to the Georgian people and our electorate. This means that these policies will continue and will inevitably produce the results our country seeks. I am confident that today’s forum will also contribute to an open, respectful, and substantive dialogue. The challenges facing the world require not ready-made ideological answers, but the exchange of diverse experiences and viewpoints, which will ultimately lead us to better decisions”, - said Shalva Papuashvili.

The participants of the event were also addressed by Mikheil Kavelashvili, President of Georgia; Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Georgia; Kakha Kaladze, Mayor of Tbilisi; and Zurab Abashidze, Chairman of the Tbilisi City Assembly.

The event was attended by Members of the European Parliament, representatives of the Parliament of Georgia, the Government of Georgia, and the Tbilisi City Assembly.