THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON THE STATUS OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS AND REFUGEES FROM ABKHAZIA, GEORGIA AND THE TSKHINVALI REGION/SOUTH OSSETIA, GEORGIA
On 4 June 2026, within the framework of its 80th session, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution titled “Status of Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia and the Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia, Georgia.” The resolution was initiated by Georgia and co-sponsored by 68 countries from various regions of the world. The resolution was supported by 107 countries. A record-low number of countries opposed the resolution, with only 8 voting against it.
Georgia has been submitting this resolution to the UN General Assembly since May 2008 and, given its objectives, is of a humanitarian nature. The resolution condemns the demographic changes carried out by force in the regions of Georgia occupied by Russia, affirms the right of displaced persons, regardless of their ethnicity, to return to their homes in dignity and safety, and emphasizes the need to respect and protect their property rights.
In addition to the humanitarian context, the resolution also has a practical significance, as it instructs the UN Secretary-General to prepare an annual report on the implementation of the resolution. This is particularly important given the difficult human rights situation in the regions of Georgia occupied by Russia and the absence of international monitoring mechanisms.
The resolution further calls on the participants of the Geneva International Discussions to intensify efforts aimed at improving the security and human rights situation in Georgia's occupied regions which, in turn, would facilitate the return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their places of origin.
In recent years, this resolution has evolved into a global initiative, garnering support from dozens of countries as co-sponsors from various regions around the world. This year, the number of co-sponsors increased by 4, reaching 68. Co-sponsorship of the resolution enables these countries to participate even more actively in international efforts aimed at addressing the severe humanitarian situation resulting from Russia’s aggression and occupation.
During the debate on the resolution on 4 June, supportive statements were delivered by the President of the UN General Assembly, the European Union, Lithuania (on behalf of the Baltic and Nordic countries), the United Kingdom, Australia (on behalf of Canada and New Zealand), Ukraine and Japan.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia expresses its gratitude to all the countries that voted in favor of the resolution and joined as co-sponsors. Through their support, each of these countries reaffirmed the right of displaced persons and refugees to return to their homes and expressed solidarity with every individual affected by displacement.
The co-sponsors of the resolution include: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cabo Verde, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Samoa, San Marino, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Türkiye, Tuvalu, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States, Vanuatu.