On March 14 of this year, the initiative commenced at Caucasus International University, with the inaugural public lecture held today at the Justice Auditorium, featuring a joint presentation by the First Deputy Minister of Justice and Dean of the Faculty of Law, Giorgi Khatidze.

Deputy Minister, Tamar Tkeshelashvili examined legal matters falling under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice, listening to the aspirations and recommendations of students regarding the structure and content of forthcoming lectures, and engaging with questions from the audience.

The Auditorium provides an opportunity for students, employees and other interested persons of the higher education institution to get complete information about the activities of the Ministry of Justice system, its tasks, goals and achievements. Designed to provide comprehensive insights into the ministry's missions, objectives, and milestones, the auditorium serves as a hub for enlightenment and engagement. This initiative aims to heighten students' awareness of legal issues, foster student-led initiatives, promote public service, and facilitate recruitment to the Ministry of Justice.

Fostering collaboration with civil society, academia, and the next generation of legal professionals stands as a cornerstone of the Ministry's strategic vision.

In the near future, the expansion of the Justice Auditorium project will unfold in partnership with other universities.

Deputy Ministers Beka Dzamashvili and Tornike Cheishvili briefed the Kyrgyz delegation on the ongoing reforms under the leadership by the Ministry of Justice of Georgia.

Discussions revolved around legislative enhancements aimed at fostering a conducive business environment. These included streamlining business registration processes, instituting effective mechanisms for resolving commercial disputes such as arbitration and mediation, and ensuring the accessibility of services. The delegation also delved into Georgia's successful reforms across various sectors.

The meeting participants also discussed the ratification and subsequent implementation of the Singapore Convention on Mediation. Georgia's ratification of the convention in 2021 has significantly streamlined dispute resolution processes for business entities.

Representatives from the Ministry of Justice of Georgia, including department heads and Irakli Kandashvili, Chairperson of the Executive Board of the Association of Mediators, participated in the meeting. The Kyrgyz side was represented by Deputy Ministers of Justice, department heads, and a representative from the Kyrgyz President's Administration.

The Auditorium will provide an opportunity for students, employees and other interested persons of the higher education institution to get complete information about the activities of the Ministry of Justice system, its tasks, goals and achievements. Designed to provide comprehensive insights into the ministry's missions, objectives, and milestones, the auditorium serves as a hub for enlightenment and engagement.

Central to the initiative is the cultivation of a fertile ground for student initiatives, advocating for public service and nurturing talent destined for the corridors of the Ministry of Justice.

The opening of the Justice Auditorium, led by Rati Bregadze alongside Minister's advisor Mindia Ugrekhelidze, Caucasus International University Rector Kakhaber Kordzaia, and Dean of the Faculty of Law Giorgi Khatidze, marks a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Justice and academia. Addressing the gathering, representatives from both spheres underscored the opportunities afforded by the auditorium, fielding inquiries from eager students.

Integral to the Ministry's ethos is the active involvement of civil society, academia, and legal professionals. To this end, a series of initiatives are underway:

Iustitia Magazine - A bilingual, internationally recognized publication serving as a platform for legal scholarship and academic discourse. Since 2023, the magazine has been also presented on a digital platform.

The Scientific-Advisory Council under the Ministry of Justice - Facilitating engagement between academia and policymaking, this platform ensures scholarly input in shaping systemic reforms and policy frameworks.

Grant Competitions - An annual endeavor to bolster collaboration between civil society, universities, and professional circles, with this year's cycle funding 17 projects aimed at enriching the Ministry's endeavors.

Continuing its commitment to enhancing the accessibility of state services, the Public Service Hall is embracing digital transformation initiatives.

The introduction of a self-service space at the Central Public Service Hall in Tbilisi, currently in its pilot phase, aims to streamline the service delivery process for users. Citizens now have the convenience of independently accessing a range of services through digital channels, without the need for direct assistance from Public Service Hall staff. This initiative promises to expedite service provision and enhance overall user experience.

Throughout the pilot phase, careful attention will be given to soliciting and incorporating customer feedback, ensuring that the final iteration of the self-service space aligns closely with user needs and preferences. Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze, personally observed the service provision process at the self-service space, underscoring the Ministry's commitment to delivering efficient and user-centric services.

Improving the accessibility of state services remains a top priority for the Ministry of Justice. With 118 Public Service Halls strategically located across the country, citizens can access fast and high-quality services with ease. Additionally, plans are underway to establish branches in all municipalities by the year's end. The innovative Mobile Public Service Hall project further extends service reach, bringing essential services to remote villages nestled in Georgia's high-mountainous regions, covering all ten administrative divisions of the country.

The First Deputy Minister of Justice underscored the role of gender equality and the importance of women in migration management at an event organized by the International Organization for Migration. Recent legal and institutional reforms stand as a testament to this commitment, with the Ministry of Justice steadfastly ensuring gender parity across all spheres within its competence.

Highlighting statistics, Tkeshelashvili revealed that 47% of real estate owners in Georgia are women, signalling the nation's dedication to a comprehensive, inclusive approach with active societal engagement.

Providing insight into concrete actions, Tkeshelashvili disclosed that out of 1,857 migrants registered in the state reintegration program between 2022 and 2023, 63% were women. Furthermore, among the 542 beneficiaries receiving financial aid, 61% were women. Women also constituted a significant portion of beneficiaries in other key areas, such as qualification enhancement and self-employment initiatives.

Emphasizing Georgia's commitment to prioritizing migrant return and reintegration, the Deputy Minister highlighted ongoing targeted programs aimed at facilitating seamless reintegration, with active participation from the migrants themselves.

At the end of the speech, Tkeshelashvili extended thanks to the International Organization for Migration for its unwavering support in migrant discussion, return, and reintegration efforts. Additionally, she underscored the vital roles played by the United Nations and the European Union in bolstering Georgia's European integration path, which, in turn, profoundly influences migration policy management.

During a meeting between Tamar Tkeshelashvili and Adrian Fozard, both parties expressed their interest in bolstering collaborative efforts, particularly in the realms of upholding the rule of law and enhancing public services. Concrete initiatives for further collaboration were deliberated upon with enthusiasm.

The First Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Minister, Beka Dzamashvili informed the representative of the World Bank about the innovative project implemented by the Ministry of Justice - Mobile Public Service Hall.

Discussions encompassed various spheres of the Ministry of Justice's activities, including ensuring the accessibility and efficiency of public services and ongoing reforms within the penitentiary system.

Tamar Tkeshelashvili underscored the history of successful cooperation between the Ministry of Justice and the World Bank. Notably:

The completion of the irrigation and land market development project's component by the public registry, as affirmed by the World Bank.

Commencing from 2023, a joint project has been in progress, supported by both the World Bank and the Government of Georgia. This initiative focuses on the adoption of innovative technologies for land administration by the National Public Registry Agency. It also aims at establishing a unified National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) and a geoportal.

The GRAIL project, in which the Public Registry is actively involved, receives funding from both the Government of Georgia and the World Bank.

The meeting was also attended by Chair of the National Public Registry Agency, Davit Devidze and Head of the Department of International Relations and Legal Cooperation of the Ministry of Justice, Keti Sarajishvili.

The exhibition showcases handcrafted items and paintings created on fabric and canvas. A portion of the proceeds from the sales will be dedicated to supporting beneficiaries of the Juvenile Referral Center.

Visitors to the event have the opportunity to contribute to the cause through donations, even without making a purchase. A designated collection box has been placed within the exhibition hall for this purpose.

This charitable initiative marks its third consecutive year, having already established itself as a tradition. This year, over 70 Ministry of Justice employees have presented their works.

Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze visited the exhibition “Artists of Justice" together with his deputies. The Minister emphasized the significance of extending assistance to the minors of the Referral Center and expressed gratitude to all participants for their involvement in this event.

The exhibition space at the National Archives of Georgia will be open to visitors on March 1-2, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

During the meeting, Minister Rati Bregadze underscored the significance of deepening sectoral cooperation with European counterparts, particularly for Georgia as a candidate country for the European Union.

Highlighting the pivotal role of the Ministry of Justice in advancing Georgia's EU candidacy, Minister Bregadze outlined significant strides, including the implementation of key steps from the EU's 12-step plan. Notably, the ministry's efforts have been instrumental in combating organized crime (step 6) and proactively utilizing Strasbourg Court decisions (step 11) to bolster Georgia's EU candidacy status.

Emphasizing the urgency of legal harmonization, Minister Bregadze stressed the imperative of expediting the alignment of Georgian legislation with EU law within the framework of the EU enlargement policy.

On the topic of legal rapprochement, last week, Minister Bregadze participated in the Conference of Ministers of Justice in Zagreb, where concerted efforts towards fulfilling obligations outlined in Chapter 23 (Justice and Fundamental Rights) were deliberated. Key initiatives discussed include:

• - Submission of legislative amendments mandating all government agencies to seek the Ministry of Justice's legal opinion on EU draft law compliance prior to initiating draft laws in Parliament;
• - Launch of an electronic platform facilitating the recording, planning, and evaluation of the legal convergence process;
• - Development of the "Guide to Approximation of Georgian Legislation to EU Legislation," alongside plans to establish the EU Law Center within the Training Center of Justice.

Rati Bregadze also emphasized the Ministry's proactive stance in fostering legal cooperation with European counterparts, exemplified by the inaugural Georgian-German Legal Forum in 2023, with plans for the second forum in Germany this year.

At the end of the meeting, Minister Bregadze thanked Elizabeth Winkelmeyer-Becker, Chair of Bundestag's Legal Affairs Committee, for Germany's steadfast support and friendship towards Georgia's territorial integrity and European integration.

Deputy Minister of Justice Beka Dzamashvili also attended the meeting.

where the delegation of Bundestag's Legal Affairs Committee also visited a penitentiary institution as part of their visit.

Within the framework of his visit to Croatia, Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze got acquainted with the specifics of the Lepoglava Prison. The Georgian delegation inspected the infrastructure and received information about the rehabilitation, employment, educational and sports programs operating in the penitentiary.

Rati Bregadze informed the prison administration about Georgian innovations. The host party was particularly interested in the functioning of the Re-Market and Digital University, as well as the public service hall services in the penitentiary system of Georgia.

The implementation of the best European and international standards in the fields of punishment and crime prevention is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia. For this purpose, the agency will continue to study the practices of partner countries in the future.

The Georgian delegation is participating in the ongoing international conference in Zagreb, the purpose of which is to share the successful experience of Croatia on the way to joining the European Union for the candidate countries. Rati Bregadze held a presentation of the legal reforms in Georgia at the event.