Organized by the National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia (NALAG), a meeting of the Self-Governing Cities Working Group was held, hosted by the Batumi Municipality City Hall.<\/p>\n
The event was conducted in a hybrid format, bringing together mayors and council members of self-governing cities, as well as international experts. The meeting aimed to strengthen the role of local self-governance in the European integration process, deepen cooperation in the field of education, and expand international partnerships.<\/p>\n
During the event, presentations were delivered by NALAG\u2019s Executive Director, Nino Rukhadze, and experts from the Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe (NALAS), Kelmend Zajazi and Elton Stafa. Representatives of NALAG\u2019s partner organization, NALAS, presented a guiding document and shared regional experiences in advocating for municipal interests.<\/p>\n
The experts also introduced the audience to opportunities available to municipalities within the EU association process, including IPA programs, structural funds, and reform agendas, which support the sustainable development and strengthening of local self-governance.<\/p>\n
The session further highlighted the role of EU institutions as key partners of NALAG in the development of local self-governance. In the second part of the event, Nino Rukhadze provided detailed insights into the objectives of memorandumu signed with the United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) and the LEPL International Education Center (IEC). This memorandum focus on integrating municipalities into international professional networks, increasing access to education, and ensuring the institutional strengthening of local governance.<\/p>\n
During the presentation on UCLG ASPAC, NALAG\u2019s Executive Director introduced the largest association of local governments in the Asia-Pacific region, which serves as the official representative of local authorities at the United Nations. Notably, the organization promotes democratic self-governance and international cooperation, with its strategy centered on sustainable development, gender equality, and the localization of global agendas.<\/p>\n
Nino Rukhadze also announced the 10th UCLG ASPAC Congress, scheduled for September 24-27, 2025, in Goyang, South Korea. The congress will feature thematic and sub-regional committees, a mayors\u2019 roundtable, a general assembly, a training forum, an innovation space, and exhibitions.<\/p>\n
Discussing cooperation with the IEC, NALAG\u2019s leader noted that, under the signed memorandum, 15 public servants from various Georgian municipalities have already completed a specialized professional development program in Greece. She added that the collaboration will continue actively, with future phases offering additional professional development opportunities tailored to municipal needs.<\/p>\n
The meeting involved: Acting Mayor of Batumi Municipality \u2013 Giorgi Murvanidze, Mayor of Poti Municipality \u2013 Beka Vacharachze, Deputy Mayor of Rustavi Municipality \u2013 Kakha Guruli, Deputy Chairman of Tbilisi Municipal Assembly \u2013 Tinatin Nibloshvili, Head of the \u201cGeorgian Dream-Democratic Georgia\u201d faction of Tbilisi Municipal Assembly \u2013 Otar Grigolia, and Head of Administration of Kutaisi Municipality Mayor\u2019s Office \u2013 Petre Adamadze.<\/p>\n
Following the event, participants visited the rehabilitated Rustaveli Street and the Ice Arena in Batumi, examples of successful urban renewal and infrastructure development.<\/p>\n
The Self-Governing Cities Thematic Group, which unites senior political officials from municipalities, was established by NALAG in 2024. The group\u2019s objective is to facilitate multi-level dialogue, fostering discussions with central authorities on challenges, needs, and pressing issues faced by municipalities, while developing a unified vision and mechanisms to address existing problems.<\/p>\n