Georgia’s capital Tbilisi marked International Day of Peace, a United Nations-designated annual celebration, with an event entitled Youth for a Better Future and organized by the country’s State Ministry for Reconciliation and Civic Equality.

Minister Tea Akhvlediani emphasized the importance of strengthening peace for the reconciliation and unification of our people and for building a united and strong state where the individual, their dignity, well-being, rights and security represent primary values.

Akhvlediani congratulated the winners of this year's Peace Award and expressed hope such initiatives would encourage young people on both sides of the dividing lines in Georgia’s Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) to engage more in the peace-building process that she said was taking place in strong spirit of the Georgian-Abkhazian and Georgian-Ossetian reconciliation, mutual understanding and restoration of trust.

The Ministry said the prizes were awarded to winners in recognition of their outstanding contributions to peacebuilding, and noted they would also participate in the 12th World Forum of Democracy, scheduled between November 6-8 in Strasbourg, with support from the Council of Europe.

Established in 2021, the award is handed annually to individuals or groups, including those from occupied territories, who contribute significantly to peacebuilding efforts and foster reconciliation and trust.

The Tbilisi event was attended by representatives from the Georgian Parliament, state agencies, local authorities, diplomatic missions, international organizations, civil society, academic circles, and youth.