2018-09-07
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"We are fully focused on creating human capital in Georgia that will be competitive in the 21st century, in the digital era," Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze stated at Future of Work in the Digital Era, a conference organized by the Progressive Alliance.
According to the Prime Minister, holding a conference of such a high-level representation in Georgia demonstrates the recognition of Georgian Dream, still a young party, by such a union as the Progressive Alliance which brings together numerous progressive parties from all over the world.
As the Head of Government stated, Georgian Dream prizes being part of this format next to a union incorporating up to 120 leading political parties of the world.
"It is a great responsibility and motivation for the party. Over the past few years, Georgian Dream has established close partnership with different political parties throughout the world. We share common values and discuss together the global agenda and all challenges facing our region and the world. Overcoming these challenges requires a rational vision and unity. It is rewarding to see our cooperation deepen further and our shared views grow even stronger," Mamuka Bakhtadze emphasized.
As the Head of Government pointed out in his speech, overhauling the system of education is the Georgian Government's paramount priority, and the main goal is to ensure that the educational sector is in at least double digits in the country's GDP.
"It is a very ambitious task, but I am convinced that, as a result of our reform, we will accomplish this task. We must fit education to new economic challenges. We need competitive specialists and professionals in the global labor market," Mamuka Bakhtadze said.
According to the Head of Government, many experts predict that the digital era will bring about fewer jobs in certain professions and, at the same time, greater demand on new vocations.
"For example, there are about 3,000,000 workplaces in the world in cybersecurity alone, and these positions remain unfilled because there are not enough specialists. Our educational reform will target these very professions and opportunities. Importantly, inclusive growth must be ensured in the country. Inclusive growth means that every citizen is engaged in the country's building. I believe that digital technology does offer this unique opportunity," Mamuka Bakhtadze said.
The Prime Minister, in his speech, also discussed Georgia's European choice, emphasizing that Georgia is steadfast in pursuing its path to democracy and the larger European family, and close cooperation with the EU sustains Georgia on its path.
"I have said it on numerous occasions and I would like to reiterate one crucially important factor: We take the European family not as a political or geopolitical choice but as a civilizational choice. It is our family, the environment where Georgia's statehood was forged, and we have made a tremendous contribution to creating our common civilization. Accordingly, Europe and the European Union are the only family where Georgia can return," Mamuka Bakhtadze stated.
According to the Prime Minister, Georgia needs strong support from European partners in those key issues that define Georgia's progress and democratic development, and that are necessary for reaching Georgia's ultimate goal of becoming a full member of the EU.
"We have taken decisive steps toward building democratic institutions in Georgia, and in many cases we have even raised the bar. For example, I can cite a unique case we encountered in the first quarter of this year, when Georgia found itself among the top five countries with the best indicators of transparency in public finances. As for democratic institutions and transparency, we must hold leading positions in the world," Mamuka Bakhtadze underlined.
The Prime Minister also discussed the Russian occupation of Georgia's territories and stated that what is happening in the occupied territories is a genuine humanitarian disaster.
"Today, we are facing a very painful and serious challenge-20% of Georgia's territory are still occupied by Russia, and what is happening in these territories is a humanitarian disaster, no less. The pre-war population of the Tskhinvali Region was 120,000. Today, unfortunately, as few as a little over 20,000 are left in the region, of which 7,000 are Russian troops. The same is true of Abkhazia. Before the war, the region's population was 550,000. Unfortunately, as few as 120,000 people live there today. Our answer to this most painful challenge is peace and development, building democratic institutions and creating an environment enabling all to make full use of their talents and opportunities in our shared homeland. Needless to say, we need our friends' help on this path, and we know how strong you are in supporting Georgian democracy. In the era of globalization, no country can develop in isolation. We must empower one another, and I am convinced that our cooperation will grow even more productive," Mamuka Bakhtadze stated.
Prime Minister's Press Office