Welcoming Speech by Maka Botchorishvili, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Georgia - Celebrating the Society of Foreign Consuls in New York’s 100th Anniversary

Honored Guests,

Distinguished Colleagues,

Esteemed members of diaspora,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honor and a profound pleasure to stand before you today in the vibrant city of New York. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for joining us tonight. Your presence underscores the importance of our shared commitment to fostering global cooperation and celebrating the vital role of diaspora communities.

As Foreign Minister of Georgia, I am proud that our consular presence in New York is part of this historic community. And This is a great honor for my country, that Consul General of Georgia, Maia BARTAIA, is the President of this esteemed organization - Society of Foreign Consuls in New York. Let me express my sincere congratulations on this historic milestone.

For one hundred years, the Society has served as a vital pillar of international dialogue, promoting mutual understanding, cultural exchange, and cooperation between nations - right here in one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in the world.

We are committed to ensuring that, under Georgia’s presidency, the SoFC continues to grow stronger, more vibrant, and more impactful in its mission. As we celebrate this milestone, reflecting on the power of diaspora engagement to strengthen global ties and drive sustainable development would be significant.

Georgia has placed diaspora engagement at the very heart of our foreign policy and development agenda. Our diaspora forms an integral part of our history and identity, while also serving as a significant source of innovation, knowledge, and development for our country. Georgia is proud to be a founding member of the Global Diaspora Policy Alliance (GDPA) and, since 2024, has served as co-chair of the Alliance’s Steering Committee alongside Ireland. This is a truly unique initiative, as it marks the first time that so many countries have come together to develop a unified, global policy framework for diaspora engagement. Our activities within the Global Diaspora Policy Alliance reflects not only a strategic priority, but also a recognition of the transformative role diasporas play in shaping inclusive, sustainable international cooperation.

Building on this shared vision and collective commitment, it is with great pride and sincere appreciation I take this opportunity to reaffirm Georgia’s honor in hosting the upcoming GDPA International Conference in 2026. We are privileged to host this esteemed event in our country, which will bring together high-level representatives of governments, international organizations, members of the diaspora communities, and other stakeholders.

While taking this possibility, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of you - for your time, engagement, and commitment to the vital work we continue to advance together. Special thanks to the International Organization for Migration for providing an excellent platform for exchange. I would also like to express my deep gratitude to the City of New York. We are grateful to this city for being a generous host not only to the diplomatic corps, but also to the dreams and aspirations of so many people from around the world - including Georgians. This brings me to a very special acknowledgment - to the members of the Georgian diaspora who are with us tonight.

Thank you for being here.