Zaza Lominadze, Chair of the Healthcare and Social Issues Committee, and Irakli Kadagishvili, Chair of the Regional Policy and Self-Government Committee, held a meeting with Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF Regional Director.

The discussion focused on the partnership between Georgia and UNICEF, with a primary emphasis on child rights.

Both sides underlined the importance of elevating this cooperation to a new stage, particularly as a new collaboration programme is currently being developed—one in which Parliament is actively involved.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to assess achievements and challenges in the area of child rights protection in Georgia and to outline future cooperation plans, particularly regarding regional policy. This includes efforts to protect the health and rights of children living in the occupied territories.

“It is worth noting that Georgia and UNICEF signed two memorandums of understanding in 2001 and 2024. Additionally, a Strategic Cooperation Framework was developed, which concludes in 2025. Work is already underway on the 2026–2030 strategic plan. We shared our vision with our guest on the role UNICEF could play in addressing the existing challenges. The UNICEF representative expressed gratitude for the cooperation and for the progress achieved over the past 12–13 years by the Georgian Dream government, especially in the areas of child protection, domestic violence, and responses to violence against children", - Zaza Lominadze stated.

The Committee Chair also noted that efforts under the poverty reduction programme have led to a significant decline in the poverty rate in the country—from 42% to 16%.

“At the meeting, we placed particular emphasis on how child protection policy is implemented at the regional and municipal levels, the opportunities the state has created in this area, and our future plans. We shared detailed information on all of this with our guest", - Irakli Kadagishvili stated.

The parties agreed to continue close cooperation going forward.