On October 11, 2013 UNFPA/Georgia hosted The South Caucasus and Turkey Youth Forum within the framework of the UN Joint Programme “To Enhance Gender Equality in Georgia” through generous support of Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

The South Caucasus and Turkey Youth Forum (the “Regional Forum”) is a continuation of the series of Regional South Caucasus Forums initiated in 2007 within the frames of the UNFPA Regional Project. It provides the venue to the policy makers to build the political will, i.e. determination and desire of political actors to introduce as well as embark on policy reforms that will bring significant and persistent changes in the society, in particular gender-sensitive youth policies, addressing Youth SRH&R issues.

Welcoming remarks were made by Werner Haug, UNFPA Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Office Director, Niels Scott, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia, Levan Kipiani, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs of Georgia, and Mariam Jashi, Deputy Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia.

The South Caucasus and Turkey Youth Forum was attended by governmental officials, youth activists and representatives of the civil society from the South Caucasus and Turkey.

The South Caucasus and Turkey Youth Forum highlighted the importance of the issues discussed at the European Youth Parliament 74th International Session held in Tbilisi the same week. Ms. Kristina Chelmakina, Chair of the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, at the 74th International Session participated in the Youth Forum and presented the session’s resolution.

The Forum was followed by an official reception at the Funicular Restaurant.