Georgian PM attends opening ceremony of World Urban Forum in Baku
Irakli Kobakhidze
Photo: Government of Georgia
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze is participating in the World Urban Forum in Baku.
Leaders attending the forum are being hosted by Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev and executive director of UN-Habitat Anacláudia Rossbach.
Kobakhidze attended the opening ceremony of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum, where speeches were delivered by Ilham Aliyev, Anacláudia Rossbach, and president of the UN-Habitat Assembly Nga Kor Ming.
Participants at the summit also listened to video addresses by United Nations secretary general António Guterres and president of the United Nations General Assembly Annalena Baerbock.
All News
18 May 2026, 16:54
Foreign policy
Georgia advancing balanced development across regions through global cooperation, says PM
Speaking at the 13th session of the World Urban Forum in Baku on Monday, Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze highlighted his government's active collaboration with the United Nations and international partners to drive balanced and inclusive development across all regions of Georgia.
18 May 2026, 16:44
Foreign policy
Georgian PM says Georgia advancing national spatial development concept with international support
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday emphasised that with the support of international partners, Georgia was advancing the National Spatial Development Concept.
18 May 2026, 16:36
Foreign policy
Georgian PM says balanced territorial development, urban planning key priorities for Georgia
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday said that alongside the country’s robust economic growth, balanced territorial development and modern urban planning have become key national policy priorities in recent years.
18 May 2026, 16:04
Politics
Georgian, Chinese Parliament Speakers discuss expanding trade, transit, parliamentary ties
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday met with Zhao Leji, the chair of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China. During the meeting, both parties highlighted the dynamic development of bilateral relations across various sectors, which is heavily reflected in high-level mutual visits.
18 May 2026, 15:25
Politics
Georgian Vice PM announces special unit on hate speech, denies any free speech restrictions
While informing the public about the creation of a special unit within the ministry of internal affairs, Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Georgian vice prime minister and state minister for coordination of law enforcement agencies, emphasised that the purpose of this decision was not to restrict freedom of opinion or expression in any form.
18 May 2026, 15:14
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen: we strive for European future, yet EU bureaucracy lacks those values
Kakha Kaladze, the mayor of Tbilisi and secretary general of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday described a recent statement by a member of the European Parliament Krzysztof Brejza as insulting, after Brejza claimed that former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili was being held on fabricated charges.
18 May 2026, 14:28
Politics
Georgia, China highlight progress in bilateral relations and strategic cooperation
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday met with Wang Huning, the chair of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
18 May 2026, 14:18
Foreign policy
Georgian PM arrives in Baku for World Urban Summit and high-level talks
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday arrived in Azerbaijan to participate in the World Urban Summit.
18 May 2026, 13:39
Politics
State institutions ready to prevent any unrest on May 26, says Vice PM Mamuka Mdinaradze
Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Georgian vice prime minister and state minister for coordination of law enforcement agencies, on Monday said that state institutions are fully prepared to maintain order and prevent any attempts at destabilisation during the upcoming May 26 opposition rally.
18 May 2026, 13:24
Foreign policy
Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker: Georgia seeks closer relations with China
Georgia, too, as China's strategic partner and a key country in the Middle Corridor, strives to have close, intensive relations with China, said on Monday Giorgi Volski, the vice speaker of the Georgian Parliament.
18 May 2026, 12:32
Politics
Georgian Vice PM: Interior Ministry to launch unit targeting hate speech and aggressive communication
A specialised division will be established within the ministry of internal affairs of Georgia, mandated to conduct systematic monitoring and execute legal responses regarding hate speech, defamatory campaigns, and aggressive communication in public spaces, said on Monday Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Georgian vice prime minister and state minister for coordination of law enforcement agencies.
18 May 2026, 12:19
Foreign policy
Georgian FM: Baku Summit key platform for advancing Georgia’s priorities
Georgian foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili on Monday commented on the participation of the Georgian delegation in the World Urban Summit in Baku, stressing that the prime minister’s participation in the conference would help both to present Georgia’s positions on key issues and to hold bilateral meetings with partner countries.
18 May 2026, 11:38
Foreign policy
Georgia Parliament Speaker makes first official visit to China in 20 years
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday departed for an official visit to China together with a parliamentary delegation.
18 May 2026, 11:31
Foreign policy
Georgian PM to feature at World Urban Summit in Baku
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze will participate in the World Urban Summit hosted in Baku, in partnership with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).
17 May 2026, 16:45
Politics
Georgian Justice Minister: strong family “backbone and foundation” of strong state
Georgian justice minister Paata Salia on Sunday said that Georgia is a centuries-old nation whose traditions have played a central role in shaping its development up to the present day, emphasising that respect for family and parents remains one of the country’s core cultural values.
17 May 2026, 16:18
Society
Georgian Patriarch Shio III calls for strengthening family value legislation
On the Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents, His Holiness and Beatitude Shio III, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, on Sunday addressed the congregation at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, delivering a strong message on the protection of traditional family values, demographic challenges, and legislative reinforcement.
17 May 2026, 15:52
Politics
Georgian Prime Minister highlights Christianity’s role in shaping nation’s identity over 1 700 years
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Sunday said that the 1 700-year history of Christianity as a state religion was central to Georgia’s national identity, culture, and values.
17 May 2026, 15:38
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker highlights family as pillar of nation and statehood
Speaking at a solemn liturgy dedicated to Family Purity Day, the Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Sunday emphasised the central role of the family in shaping society, national identity, and the state.
17 May 2026, 15:24
Politics
Georgian President emphasises role of family in strengthening nation on Family Purity Day
Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili on Sunday attended a special service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi, dedicated to Family Purity and Respect for Parents Day.


