GD FM Botchorishvili Meets UN Secretary-General, Addresses Human Rights Council
On February 24, 2025, Georgian Dream Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili met UN Secretary-General António Guterres and delivered a speech at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. According to the official press release, Botchorishvili’s visit focused on Georgia’s engagement with the UN, regional security, and ongoing human rights challenges in the Russian-occupied territories of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali.
Meeting with the UN Secretary-General
The Foreign Ministry said the meeting with Guterres discussed Georgia’s contribution to the United Nation’s initiatives, the implementation of resolutions in support of Georgia’s sovereignty, and the UN’s involvement in the Geneva International Discussions dealing with the aftermath of the 2008 Russo-Georgian war.
“The meeting also addressed Georgia’s positive economic development dynamics and its role in the region,” the press release reads.
Botchorishvili invited the Secretary-General to visit Georgia and reaffirmed Georgia’s readiness to continue participating in UN initiatives aimed at promoting global peace and addressing common challenges.
Statement at the Human Rights Council
On February 24, Botchorishvili also addressed the 58th session of the UN’s Human Rights Council. She started her speech by addressing Russia’s war against Ukraine, stating that “this war manifests the devastating effect of violent conflict on the protection of human rights.”
She recalled February 25, the day of the Soviet occupation of Georgia in 1921, as a day that halted “our democratic development for seven decades,” adding that Georgia continues its fight “for sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
She condemned the recent so-called “presidential elections” in the self-proclaimed republic of Abkhazia, highlighted the dire humanitarian situation and human rights violations in Georgia’s occupied regions, reiterated Georgia’s commitment to presenting its annual Human Rights Council resolution in September, and expressed hope for continued support from the UN.
Botchorishvili highlighted Georgia’s “progress in judicial reforms” and its decreasing number of cases before the ECtHR, framing these developments as evidence of a strengthened rule of law.
Toughing upon the disputed October 26 elections, GD FM noted that while Georgian citizens made “their free political choice,” “speculation” continues surrounding the elections, adding that “manipulations aimed at creating an artificial crisis and destabilizing the country must be halted.”
“Let me reiterate my government’s full readiness to continue close cooperation with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and active engagement with the UN Human Rights mechanisms,” Botchorishvili concluded.
Other Meetings
At the session, Maka Botchorishvili met with her counterparts from Iceland and Slovakia, as well as the President of the UNHRC and the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States.
During the meeting with the newly appointed Icelandic Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, the sides discussed bilateral cooperation and Georgia and Iceland’s collaboration in international organizations. According to the Georgian Foreign Ministry’s press release, “the conversation further covered the relations of Georgia and Iceland with the European Union, as well as issues related to Georgia’s European integration.” The sides also discussed the current developments in Georgia.
“Pleased to meet with the Foreign Minister of Iceland in the margins of HRC in Geneva. We had a good discussion on regional developments, European security, and integration into the EU. Looking forward to enhancing our bilateral cooperation in different areas,” GD FM Botchorishvili wrote on social media after the meeting.
“Good talk with Maka Botchorishvili on the membership of Iceland and Georgia in UNHRC. Reaffirmed Iceland’s full support for Georgia’s EU integration, reiterated the importance of human rights for all, including gender equality and LGBTI rights, and raised the importance of ensuring a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” Icelandic Foreign Minister wrote on X.
At her meeting with Slovak FM Juraj Blanár, GD FM Botchorishvili expressed gratitude for Slovakia’s support for Georgia. “Particular emphasis was placed on Slovakia’s strong backing of Georgia’s European integration process,” reads the official press release from the Georgian Foreign Ministry. It adds, “The two ministers reviewed Georgia-EU relations, reaffirming that European integration remains Georgia’s top priority. They underscored the importance of maintaining dialogue based on mutual respect between countries.” The sides also discussed ongoing developments in Georgia and Slovakia as well as the broader regional situation.
“Happy to meet with my Slovak colleague, Juram Blanár, in the framework of the HRC in Geneva. We had a good exchange about the situation in our countries. I thanked the Minister for Slovakia’s strong support to Georgia, especially on our European integration path,” Botchorishvili wrote on X after the meeting.
Botchorishvili also met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Vatican Secretary for Relations with States.
“It was a great pleasure to meet with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher in Geneva and to discuss Georgia’s long-standing cooperation with the Holy See. I passed my best wishes for a speedy recovery to Pope Francis,” Botchorishvili wrote on social media.
Botchorishvili also met with Jürg Lauber, President of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The discussions at the meeting focused on cooperation within the Human Rights Council. According to the official press release, GD minister Botchorishvili stressed that Georgia as a member of the council “remains committed to fulfilling its obligations within its mandate. In alignment with the Council’s priorities, Georgia actively collaborates with international partners to protect the rights of vulnerable groups, including women, children, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, and populations affected by conflict.” The meeting also addressed Geneva talks and their role in the peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Botchorishvili also held with Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. They discussed the security and humanitarian situation in Georgia’s occupied territories, stressing the need for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. The importance of the Geneva International Discussions format was also highlighted. According to the official release, “the meeting also covered ongoing developments in Georgia, the security situation in the region, and recent geopolitical dynamics.” It also says that the sides reaffirmed “their commitment to continued cooperation on key human rights issues.”
NOTE: The news article was updated on February 26, 2025, to include Botchorishvili’s meetings with the foreign ministers of Iceland and Slovakia, Archbishop Gallagher, the president of the UNHRC, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Also Read:
- 06/12/2024 – FM Botchorishvili Attends OSCE Ministerial in Malta
- 15/10/2024 – UN Human Rights Council Adopts Resolution on Occupied Regions of Georgia
- 05/04/2023 –UN Human Rights Council Adopts Resolution on Occupied Regions of Georgia
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