Culture is what distinguishes us from one another and shapes our identity. Yet it’s great. Its great strength lies in its remarkable ability to connect and unite us, said Georgia’s Foreign Minister in her speech at the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand.

“Throughout the centuries of its rich and vibrant history, Georgia has created and preserved a priceless cultural heritage, a legacy that continues to inspire and enrich humanity… The cultural heritage of Georgia reflects both our distinct identity and diversity that lies at the heart of our nation. We take great pride in our centuries-old tradition of qvevri wine-making and our unique polyphonic singing, both recognised by UNESCO as masterpieces of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.

You are warmly invited to visit the Georgian Pavilion, showcasing our wine-making traditions, and to join us this evening at the reception celebrating our polyphonics. Singing, which means that protecting and promoting cultural heritage is vital, not only for our own people, but for humanity as a whole.

The principles that guide UNESCO, peace, mutual respect, and cooperation, are deeply meaningful for our country. For Georgia, peace is not an abstract concept, but a lived aspiration. We know from our own experience, the cost of conflict, the fragility of culture and human ties when they are tested by division.

Even today, parts of Georgia remain under Russian occupation, and the people living in those regions are deprived of access to education in their native language, of freedom of movement, and of the ability to preserve and celebrate their cultural identity. These realities remind us all of the importance of UNESCO’s mission to ensure that education, culture and heritage are protected anywhere, for every community, without exception.

We, therefore, highly value UNESCO’s efforts to safeguard cultural heritage in conflict zones, to prevent the misuse of culture as a tool of manipulation and propaganda, and to promote dialogue as the only viable path towards reconciliation and peace… In this spirit, Georgia remains firmly committed to peace and to the principles of international law, to sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the protection of human rights”, - said Maka Botchorishvili.