At the plenary session, the Prime Minister, Mr. Irakli Kobakhidze reported to the Parliament concerning the fulfillment of the Governmental Program.

The Prime Minister underscored the pivotal priorities and reviewed the nation’s recent progress. Regarding the economic situation, he emphasised that the economic growth in 2024 reached 9.4%. Furthermore, the four-month data of the current year indicate that the growth index stands at 8.8%, suggesting that the sustained high-speed growth should be maintained.

In this context, Georgia has consistently held the top position in Europe and the broader region for the past four years.

The unemployment index is at a historical minimum, which in 2024 was at 13,9%. According to Mr. Kobakhidze, over 185,000 new job opportunities were created in 2022-2024.

Regarding the economic stimulating factors, he emphasised the significance of tourism development and tourism revenues.

“Last year, we welcomed 7.4 million international tourists. In 2024-25, we opened 70 hotels with over 3,300 rooms and approximately 6,700 beds. According to our plans and designs, over 300 more hotels are expected to open between 2025 and 2028, accommodating over 38,000 beds. The anticipated total investment is approximately two billion.

In terms of airports, we have also achieved an unprecedented milestone. Our three airports collectively served 7.425 million travelers last year, surpassing the highest figure recorded since the restoration of independence and even before”.

The Prime Minister emphasised the energy infrastructure projects, the gas supply network and the highway construction.

“One of our primary objectives is to enhance the country’s connectivity, which is our historical function. Historically, we have bridged the gap between Europe and Asia, West and East, and we strive to maximise this potential through infrastructural projects such as highway construction, railway and port development, and airport construction. These projects facilitate the enhancement of our transit connectivity. Regarding the Anaklia Port, the first phase of construction is scheduled to be completed no later than 2029. However, with the current pace of progress, we anticipate that the completion date may be shortened. Overall, the first phase of construction envisages an investment of 600 million USD, which will ensure that the Port can handle over 600,000 containers annually,” he reported.

Speaking about the regional development, he underscored the necessity of the formation of the Regional Development Ministry into a standalone state agency and dwelt on the decentralization and municipal development aspects.

“The projects valued at over three billion GEL are being implemented in more than 100 settlements across the country. Thirty-one cities within the coverage of the United Water Supply Company will be supplied with water throughout the year, meeting the 24-hour standard. In 2026, the list of cities will be supplemented by 14 more cities, and three more cities in 2027, ensuring that all cities will have access to a water supply. Regarding the system land registration program, 810,000 land plots were measured in 2024, and 553,000 of which were registered”.

As for the environmental programs and plans, the reporter highlighted the stringent sanctions for illegal timber felling.

“Significant progress has been made in environmental protection, with the implementation of early warning systems across the country. Additionally, in collaboration with international partners, we are undertaking the glacier assessment project. Forest restoration measures have been implemented on 2,120 hectares, and the forest registration program has covered 124,000 hectares. We aim to expand this coverage to over 126,000 hectares by 2025-2026.

It is imperative that we implement the most stringent measures to combat illegal felling, which constitutes a grave crime. In this regard, I express my gratitude to the Parliament for its support in strengthening the normative framework to address this issue effectively”.

In his report, Mr. Kobakhidze touched upon the universal healthcare and other healthcare programs.

“Since 2012, the state’s expenditure on the healthcare sector has quadrupled, while prior to this period, this sector was virtually neglected, and the well-being of its citizens was not a priority for the preceding authorities. Presently, statistical data unequivocally demonstrate the substantial attention we devote to the healthcare of our population. Consequently, healthcare costs have increased fourfold, resulting in a reduction of the citizens’ co-participation from 73% to 41% since 2012”.

The Prime Minister reviewed the educational infrastructure projects and plans, emphasising that 110 schools have already been completed, while 296 schools are currently undergoing rehabilitation and construction. Additionally, 22 more schools are scheduled for construction, and four new vocational colleges to be built.

According to him, 563 million GEL was allocated for the kindergartens, resulting in the construction or restoration of 885 kindergartens.

“Regarding cultural development, the budget has been significantly increased from 27 million to 49 million GEL. During the reporting year, 470 diverse projects were funded, encompassing 100 projects in 16 countries, 194 exhibitions and cultural events were organised, and 70 cultural heritage monuments underwent rehabilitation. In essence, a comprehensive revision of the cultural development concept is imperative, with a particular focus on reviving the Georgian film and theatrical industries”.

He touched upon the progress in various sports disciplines, high achievements of the Georgian athletes in International tournaments, and congratulated the Georgian Judo Team on the World Championship.

Speaking about the sports infrastructure, he concentrated on the construction of the school stadiums in the municipalities and the construction of a new stadium in Tbilisi.

“We are developing a new stadium design project that will accommodate 70,000 visitors and host the Champions League and other high-level matches. It will be a multifunctional infrastructure with various functions, including an exhibit and conference centre”.

As for the foreign policy, the reporter dwelt on the relationship with the USA and the EU, as well as the trade-economic and partnership connections with China.

“Naturally, relations with the United States are of utmost importance to us. As you are aware, we have publicly expressed our commitment to restoring the strategic partnership with a certain roadmap, which will reflect the mutual benefits of our relationship. We eagerly anticipate the response steps from the United States.

Furthermore, significant steps have been taken in regards to the Embassies, including the appointment of the Ambassador to the United States. We believe that these recent changes will ultimately facilitate the revitalization of our relationship and restore the strategic partnership with the United States.

Regarding Georgia-EU relations, we encounter significant challenges, particularly unfair attitudes from the European bureaucracy. However, we remain committed to our EU integration and are prepared to take all necessary steps to achieve our goal of becoming an EU member by 2030. We have already made substantial progress and are diligently preparing to meet the set deadlines.

We are confident that if we receive a fair and healthy approach from the European bureaucracy, the EU integration process will not be hindered. We remain calm and pragmatic and hope to see the fair steps taken in response”.

The Prime Minister observed the recent political process and provided the facts of the interventionism of foreign forces.

“During the reporting period, we have been engaged in a critical process regarding the violent assault on the sovereignty and constitutional framework of the country that transpired at the end of November and the beginning of December. We all recall five harrowing days when, as outlined in their preliminary plan, certain coercive groups opposed state interests and sovereignty, encouraged by the foreign interference, which was clearly evident and pronounced. We unequivocally reject any attempt to violate the state’s sovereignty and the constitutional order”.

As he observed, certain groups or individuals believed that foreigners possessed the capability and authority to dictate the laws and regulations to Georgia. They held the notion that our state was weakened and, by deviating from the authority of the Georgian government, could take certain actions.

“I remember them issuing directives from their respective countries regarding the candidates for appointments, such as the Foreign Minister. They held the erroneous belief that it was feasible to intimidate or assault police officers, that individuals could disregard the outcomes of the Parliamentary elections, and that certain individuals could decline their Parliamentary mandates, assuming that we would subsequently engage in negotiations and acquiesce to the anti-constitutional agreement they sought to impose. They perceived Georgia as being weakened and, consequently, believed themselves entitled to treat our country in such a manner”. As he further emphasised, today, we face a novel reality: “Under no circumstances will we tolerate arbitrariness and violence against the Georgian state, either domestically or internationally.”

As per his assessment, the eradication of poverty and the restoration of territorial integrity are set as two key priorities.

"We cherish two fundamental Georgian dreams: alleviating poverty and restoring territorial integrity. In the realm of poverty eradication, we have made significant progress and, on average, will attain the established objectives. Our national dream is to restore territorial integrity, and the Georgian Government undertakes all necessary actions to realise these two dreams. I am confident that with collective efforts and collaborative teamwork, we will attain the desired outcome and continue the country’s development and progress”.

After the report, the Prime Minister answered the questions and made additional elucidations.

The report of the Prime Minister was attended by: Government Members, Chairs of the Constitutional Bodies, representatives of the Abkhazia and Ajara Autonomous Republics, the Tbilisi Mayor, the Chair of the Tbilisi City Assembly, and the clergymen.