We remain committed to the peaceful resolution of the Russia-Georgia conflict, to reconciliation and to engagement with conflict-affected populations. Minister of Foreign Affairs said this during her address at the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission`s Ministerial Meeting on "National Ownership in Practice: Strengthening Inclusive State Institutions through International Peacebuilding Support".

"It is a great pleasure to participate in this Ministerial Meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission and to engage in this important discussion on national ownership and international peacebuilding support. More than eight decades after the establishment of the United Nations, peace remains one of our most important collective responsibilities.

For Georgia, peace has a very special meaning. We have lived with the consequences of war and conflict for decades, and their effects are still deeply felt across our society. The continued occupation of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region by the Russian Federation remains a daily reality. That is why we know the price of peace. And we know that peace is the foundation of our development, our prosperity and our future.

This understanding has guided the policy of the Georgian Government, particularly in an increasingly unpredictable security environment. Russia`s war against Ukraine continues, while the Middle East is experiencing another period of grave instability, with developments affecting energy, trade and the wider security environment. In this context, preserving peace and stability at home is a matter of vital national interest for Georgia. Our response has been consistent: we remain committed to the peaceful resolution of the Russia-Georgia conflict, to reconciliation and to engagement with conflict-affected populations. At the same time, we have seen what becomes possible when a country can preserve stability and concentrate its energy on the future.

Georgia has maintained strong economic growth, substantially reduced poverty and made significant progress in sustainable development. Stability has allowed us to invest in infrastructure, education, healthcare and connectivity.

These are not simply development achievements. They demonstrate what peace makes possible. This is why national ownership and sovereign decision-making matter. International support is essential, but it cannot replace national responsibility. Sustainable peace requires strong national institutions, decisions rooted in national priorities, and respect for the sovereign right of each country to determine its own path. It also requires the trust and participation of society.

At a time when instability is affecting neighbouring regions, a more peaceful and predictable South Caucasus would create greater space for economic development, investment, cooperation and connectivity. The recent progress in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process is important for the two countries and for the region as a whole.

For Georgia, this is particularly important. Our country has been investing in infrastructure and connections that link the region with wider international markets. A more stable South Caucasus can strengthen these opportunities and contribute to the economic development of the entire region. We know the cost of conflict, and we also know what peace allows us to build. That is why peace remains not only our security priority, but our development priority and our commitment to future generations", - said Maka Botchorishvili.