The Prime Minister of Georgia addressed the participants of the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is a great pleasure to warmly welcome you to Silk Road Forum 2023, a truly global scale event for dialogue among senior government officials, policymakers, businesses, and community leaders. We are delighted to host almost 2, 300 guests from 63 countries. Heads of governments, ministers, heads of international institutions, and CEOs and top managers represent up to 250 companies.

We are grateful to all of you for joining us today. It is the fourth time since 2015 that Tbilisi has hosted this important gathering. Indeed, this is a significant opportunity to showcase Georgia yet again and the progress that we have made in recent years. The significance of the Silk Road, both historically and presently, extends far beyond mere trade.

Beyond the famed silk, this ancient route facilitated the exchange of porcelain, flourishing tea culture, and a vital connection between Europe and Asia. And in doing so, it bridged Western and Eastern cultures, serving as a conduit for the propagation of innovations and knowledge.

Our historical connection to the Silk Road is undeniable. Before this ancient road extended westward, it found its path through the diverse terrain of Georgia, documented by Greek historians as a pivotal crossroads in the global trade network. Our country’s role in this epic journey is substantiated by archaeological evidence, such as shards of Chinese porcelain in Dmanisi, Georgia, and the discovery of a Chinese coin dating back over 1, 200 years ago in Mtskheta-Jvari.

From prehistoric days, Mtskheta, the Georgia’s ancient capital, served as a vital logistical nexus along the Silk Road, where the primary roots of the Caucasus converged. The Silk Road’s enduring influence on our land is profound. It stimulated the growth of crafts, trade, and urban life within Georgia while nurturing cultural and political ties with the broader world of its era.

And in this convergence, the cultures, religions, customs, and traditions of the East and West united in the place we proudly call Georgia.

Nine years ago at the United Nations General Assembly, I conceptualized the significance of the Silk Road and the importance of collaborative efforts required to harness its potential.

In just one short year, in 2015, I brought the first Silk Road Forum to the heart of Tbilisi. Since, our nation has been steadily building upon this legacy, and today there is no doubt that Georgia has become an integral part of East West exchanges”, - said Irakli Garibashvili.