On October 8, 2026, the U.S. Department of State published its 26th annual Trafficking in Persons Report. According to the report, Georgia continues to rank among the world’s top performers in combating human trafficking, retaining its place in the highest category, Tier 1, for the 11th consecutive year. Of the 184 countries assessed worldwide, only 33 received the highest rating this year.

Georgia is the only country in its region and among EU candidate countries to receive the highest rating from the U.S. Department of State. Notably, 13 EU member states failed to qualify for Tier 1.

According to the U.S. Department of State’s report, Georgia has continued to demonstrate significant and sustained efforts to combat human trafficking, earning the country the highest rating.

The report highlights Georgia’s effective measures to proactively detect and investigate human trafficking offenses, strengthen mechanisms for the protection and assistance of victims and survivors, and ensure compensation for harm resulting from these crimes.

Georgia attaches considerable importance to combating human trafficking, an area that also constitutes an important part of the country’s EU integration process. These efforts contribute to establishing a safe and reliable environment in Georgia and the wider region for combating transnational organized crime.

Georgia’s leading position in the U.S. Department of State’s report and the progress achieved during the reporting period reflect the effective work of the Interagency Coordination Council for the Implementation of Measures Against Human Trafficking.

The Council is chaired by the Minister of Justice of Georgia and comprises representatives of all relevant government agencies, the Office of the Public Defender, and partner organizations.

Minister of Justice Paata Salia discussed close cooperation between Georgia and Turkey in the field of justice during a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Akın Gürlek. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the International Justice Summit, currently being held in Istanbul.

Paata Salia briefed his Turkish counterpart on the reforms implemented by the Ministry of Justice and the Special Penitentiary Service. He noted that international cooperation with partner countries in civil and criminal matters remains one of Georgia’s priorities.

The meeting also highlighted the public and private services provided to citizens across Georgia through the country’s network of 127 Public Service Halls. The importance of technological progress was also emphasized, along with the development of artificial intelligence grounded in the principles of human rights, ethics, and the rule of law throughout the digital transformation process.

First Deputy Minister of Justice Beka Dzamasvhili and Ambassador of Georgia to the Republic of Turkey Archil Kalandia also attended the meeting.

The International Justice Summit is being held in Istanbul on October 8–9.

Georgian Minister of Justice Paata Salia participated in the opening ceremony of the International Justice Summit, where he delivered welcoming remarks on the importance of the rule of law amid rapid technological progress and digital transformation.

The Minister highlighted measures aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of legal systems and institutions in a rapidly changing environment. He stressed that, in these circumstances, not only dialogue among legal professionals but also close cooperation with international partners and the exchange of best practices are of particular importance.

“Artificial intelligence and digital technologies, transnational cybercrime, migration, and global economic integration are giving rise to new challenges, new forms of responsibility, and a growing need for international cooperation,” the Minister of Justice of Georgia said. He emphasized that technological progress must be firmly grounded in the rule of law and respect for human rights.

Paata Salia briefed the Summit participants on the reforms implemented by the Ministry of Justice of Georgia, with particular emphasis on the modernization of state institutions and efforts to ensure greater accessibility of public services through the use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence.

The International Justice Summit is being held in Istanbul and brings together justice ministers, judges, lawyers, and representatives of international organizations, expert communities, and academic circles from various countries.

As part of his visit to Turkey, Paata Salia will hold meetings with the Ministers of Justice of Turkey, Albania, and North Macedonia. First Deputy Minister of Justice Beka Dzamasvhili and Ambassador of Georgia to the Republic of Turkey Archil Kalandia will also participate in the events.

Minister of Justice of Georgia Paata Salia met with 189 interns selected to join the Justice Ministry system under the state-paid internship program initiated by the Prime Minister.

The Minister congratulated the young students on successfully completing the selection process and noted that the internship represents an important first step into a professional environment and an opportunity to gain practical experience. He encouraged the interns to make the most of the program, take initiative, ask questions, share their views, and actively engage in the work of their respective institutions.

Paata Salia stressed that the Ministry of Justice views the internship not only as an opportunity for young people to acquire professional knowledge and practical skills, but also as an important mechanism for attracting young, qualified professionals to the system. The Ministry aims to ensure that, for successful interns, the program can lead to further professional development and employment opportunities.

In 2026, a total of 293 internship vacancies were announced across the Ministry of Justice and 12 legal entities under public law within its system, attracting 6,639 applications. Following the selection process, 189 interns were selected.

In 2025, 109 of the 156 interns admitted under the program had their internships extended, with some subsequently securing employment.

The internship lasts three months, with the possibility of extension. The program is paid, and the internship period counts toward the interns’ work experience and length of service.

The forum was opened by Tamar Zodelava, Deputy Minister of Justice of Georgia, and Haisun Choi, Director of Intergovernmental Cooperation on Artificial Intelligence at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety of the Republic of Korea.

Tamar Zodelava highlighted the importance of the responsible and safe use of artificial intelligence in the public sector, particularly at a time when technology is increasingly transforming the delivery of public services and the way governments interact with citizens. She noted that, alongside the development of artificial intelligence, it is essential to establish appropriate legal and institutional mechanisms to ensure that technological progress is balanced with the protection of human rights, transparency, and a citizen-centered approach.

The Deputy Minister also emphasized the importance of international cooperation and the sharing of experience, noting that the Digital Cooperation Center established within the framework of the partnership between Georgia and the Republic of Korea is an important mechanism for strengthening cooperation in this area.

The event was held as part of government-level cooperation between Georgia and the Republic of Korea, with the main objective of sharing experience in the use of artificial intelligence in public administration and exploring new opportunities for bilateral partnership.

Forum participants discussed AI governance issues in light of the experiences of Georgia and the Republic of Korea, as well as opportunities for the practical application of artificial intelligence in the public sector. Discussions also focused on the development of trusted digital infrastructure as a foundation for creating secure and scalable AI-enabled public services. Participants addressed challenges associated with the implementation of artificial intelligence in the public sector, including security, accountability, policy, and regulatory issues, and identified areas for joint initiatives.

The forum was held within the framework of a memorandum of understanding signed between the Ministry of Justice of Georgia and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety of the Republic of Korea. Representatives of relevant government agencies, local authorities, and organizations associated with the public sector from Georgia and the Republic of Korea participated in the event.

The forum focused on sharing experience and professional practices between representatives of the Georgian and British legal professions, strengthening professional ties, and discussing areas for future cooperation. Key topics included cross-border business activities, the practice of applying English law, and dispute resolution mechanisms, including international arbitration.

As part of the event, Beka Dzamashvili conveyed a message from the Minister of Justice to the participants and highlighted the importance of maintaining regular dialogue between members of the legal professions of Georgia and the United Kingdom. He noted that meetings in this format facilitate the exchange of experience and strengthen practical cooperation on international legal matters.

Following the forum, a bilateral meeting with British lawyers was held at the Ministry of Justice. During the meeting, the First Deputy Minister briefed the guests on the activities of the Ministry of Justice, its priority areas, and its future plans.

The discussion covered the Ministry's work in protecting the interests of the state before international courts and in international arbitration proceedings. Particular attention was drawn to the Ministry's role not only in managing international disputes and representing the state, but also in preventing potential disputes and mitigating legal risks.

Beka Dzamashvili also spoke about reforms implemented in the judicial system and progress made in the field of human rights protection. The meeting also highlighted the declining trend in the number of cases pending against Georgia before the European Court of Human Rights. The discussion further addressed the importance of continued development of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including mediation and arbitration.

The meeting at the Ministry of Justice was also attended by Irakli Kandashvili, Chairman of the Georgian Bar Association; Ana Ivanishvili, Deputy Head of the Department of International Relations and Legal Cooperation of the Ministry of Justice; and Mariam Antia, Head of the Department for State Representation in Arbitration Proceedings and Foreign Courts.

Deputy Minister of Justice of Georgia Giorgi Dgebuadze, together with a delegation from the Ministry of Justice, participated in the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.

In his address to the Congress, Giorgi Dgebuadze highlighted the reforms undertaken in Georgia in the areas of crime prevention and the rehabilitation and social reintegration of offenders, including diversion and mediation programs, as well as initiatives aimed at the rehabilitation and support of juveniles.

The Deputy Minister of Justice also took part in a session dedicated to strengthening international cooperation in criminal matters. He emphasized the importance of mutual legal assistance, extradition, and the transfer of sentenced persons for the continued enforcement of their sentences, as well as the need for close cooperation among countries to effectively combat transnational crime.

On the margins of the Congress, the Georgian delegation held bilateral meetings with delegations from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Italy, and Japan, as well as with representatives of the International Institute of Higher Studies in Criminal Sciences (SII), a participant in the UN Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Program Network (PNI), with the aim of further strengthening cooperation.

The delegation of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia also included Giorgi Lomtadze, Head of the Analytical Department; Giorgi Sajaja, Head of the Legal Entity under Public Law – National Agency for the Prevention of Crime, Execution of Non-Custodial Sentences and Probation; and Iason Nachqebia, Head of the Analytical Department of the Agency.

The XI International Scientific Conference - Archival Studies and Source Studies — Trends and Challenges has opened at the National Archives of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia. This year’s conference is dedicated to the 1,700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion in Georgia.

By embracing Christianity and proclaiming it the state religion, Georgia chose a spiritual path that shaped the country’s culture, thought, state development, and values. Its influence can be seen in architecture, painting, religious chant, literature, and other fields of cultural life.

The conference was opened by Deputy Minister of Justice Tamar Zodelava and Director General of the National Archives Teona Iashvili. The participants were also welcomed by Claudia Rapp, Professor at the University of Vienna and Member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, and Ketevan Asatiani, Head of the Scientific Department of the National Archives.

More than 40 Georgian and international scholars are taking part in the conference. They will present the latest research on the spread of Christianity in the South Caucasus and its proclamation as the state religion, examining these developments in the context of parallel processes in the Roman and Sassanian Empires and narratives that have emerged around the world.

The presentations will address the work of Christian missionaries, the development of monasticism, the organizational transformation of the Georgian Church, liturgy, and the history of saints and religious feasts. Particular attention will be given to the role of Christianity as a literate religion, as well as to Christian art and culture, medieval historiography, and perceptions of religion in the late medieval and modern periods.

The conference will be held at the National Archives of Georgia through 3 October.