Tbilisi is hosting the annual conference of the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN), bringing together more than 100 delegates from 50 countries.

The conference is organized by the Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency (GCCA). Paata Salia, Minister of Justice of Georgia, addressed the participants and congratulated the Agency on a major international achievement — its presidency of ICPEN for 2026–2027. According to the Minister, Georgia’s ICPEN presidency is not only an achievement for the Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency, but also an international recognition of the trust placed in Georgia and the progress the country has made in protecting consumer rights.

Paata Salia emphasized the importance of consumer protection for the development of the modern economy. He noted that strong consumers and strong businesses are not competitors; on the contrary, protecting consumers strengthens trust, trust promotes healthy competition, and strong competition drives investment and sustainable economic development.

“One of the key priorities of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia is to provide effective, fast and reliable public services. Our approach is simple: citizens should not have to adapt to the state system; the state system should adapt to citizens. We apply the same principle in our work with businesses. Today, entrepreneurs can access the services of a personal ‘Business Assistant’ at Public Service Halls, carry out important transactions more easily through ‘Smart Contract’, and make use of enforcement and notarial mediation services. Nearly 500 Public Service Hall services are now available across Georgia, while the customer satisfaction rate stands at 95%. For us, this is more than just a statistic — it represents citizens’ trust and, at the same time, a great responsibility.

“At the same time, we continue to develop digital services and new mechanisms for digital identification so that we can offer citizens and businesses services that are even simpler, faster and more secure. That is why, for us, fair competition and consumer protection are not merely legal principles — they are essential conditions for building a modern, inclusive and citizen-centered state,” Paata Salia said.

The ICPEN annual conference brings together representatives of executive authorities and consumer protection agencies, international organizations and experts in the field. The conference provides a platform for sharing international experience, discussing challenges in consumer protection and strengthening cooperation.

As part of his official visit to the Republic of Korea, Georgian Justice Minister Paata Salia, together with a delegation, visited the Digital Government Cooperation Center. Members of the Georgian delegation were briefed on Korea’s experience in digital governance, the provision of electronic government services, and the implementation of modern technologies.

The Republic of Korea is one of the world’s leading countries in the field of digital governance. During the visit, particular attention was paid to technological solutions that make government services faster, simpler, and more accessible to citizens.

“The experience shared with us by our Korean partners was very impressive. It is particularly important that our cooperation is focused on achieving concrete results. In the near future, a Digital Governance Cooperation Center will be established in Georgia, providing Georgian and Korean experts with an opportunity to jointly develop and implement new approaches and innovative projects,” said Tamar Zodelava, Deputy Minister of Justice.

The Ministry of Justice of Georgia and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety of the Republic of Korea have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding providing for the establishment of a Digital Governance Cooperation Center in Georgia.

The Center will serve as a platform for practical cooperation between the two countries. Key areas of joint work will include the development of a virtual assistant, digital identity, the integration of artificial intelligence into government services, and other modern digital solutions.

“Meetings with our Korean colleagues have highlighted several areas in which cooperation is particularly important for us. These include a virtual assistant, digital identity, and the integration of artificial intelligence into government services. The introduction of these technologies will enable us to provide citizens with government services even more quickly, simply, and efficiently,” said Sandro Tsirekidze, Chairman of the Digital Governance Agency.

The Georgian delegation accompanying Justice Minister Paata Salia includes First Deputy Minister of Justice Beka Dzamasvhili, Deputy Minister Tamar Zodelava, and Chairman of the Digital Governance Agency Sandro Tsirekidze.