International Organization for Migration (IOM) – UN Migration Agency, Mission to Georgia, celebrated the International Migrants Day with partners. Reception was marked by a photo-exhibition, featuring personal accounts of Georgian migrants who returned to their home country after their time overseas, and rebuilt their lives in Georgia with the support of IOM. Selection of photos also featured migrants from diverse backgrounds and cultures living in Georgia. What they have in common is their love for Georgia and their dream of living peaceful and fulfilled lives, as a part of their host society.

Mr. Massimo Ramanzin, OiC, IOM Georgia welcomed the guests on behalf of Mrs Sanja Celebic Lukovac, Chief of Mission of IOM Georgia, thanked the partners, “for the long-lasting cooperation on multiple projects and efforts, guiding Georgia towards good migration practices, that ensure positive outcomes for migrants and hosting communities” and introduced the photo-exhibition stating “…their [returnees] migration experiences – whether they were lengthy or brief, easy or complex, enjoyable or challenging – will forever affect their lives, the lives of their families and those of the communities they have returned to… what they [migrants in Georgia] have in common is their love for Georgia and their dream of living peaceful and fulfilled lives, as a part of their host society.”  Dr. Sabine Machl, Resident Coordinator, UN Georgia welcomed the guests on behalf of UN family and highlighted the UN Network on Migration meeting that was preceded by the reception. H.E. Vladimer Konstantinidi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia delivered welcoming remarks, highlighting the long-standing partnership with IOM in Georgia and stated “Nearly 30 years, state institutions of Georgia and IOM have been doing a truly significant work together… I am proud to declare that we have advanced in protection of rights and legal interests of migrants, IOM always appearing among our top supporters.”