The National Human Development Report 2000 discusses the Georgian population’s access to a selected number of human rights as set forth in the Universal Declaration signed more than 50 years ago. Georgia’s endorsement of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been a crucial step. The next one is to implement the existing public policy that will ensure the access to these rights by the population.

Of the former Soviet Republics, Georgia has been one of the leading countries in providing its population with access to human rights. Georgia is to be given recognition for its achievements in the democratization process of the political, social, and economic aspects of its development. The country’s commitment to a free press and respect of political rights have been remarkable in a region of the world not yet known for ensuring respect of such rights to their full extent.

But while it is essential to highlight these achievements, it has become necessary to state that the full range of human rights embodied in the Universal Declaration, which includes (among others) the right to access education and health care services, can only be provided if additional efforts are made to strengthen and improve the efficiency of governance. Ensuring that the population can access the full range of human rights depends on the efficiency of local institutions, which in turn affect the government’s capacity to develop sound social and economic policies as well as the government’s capacity to implement those policies. This determines the country’s capacity to fulfill its commitments to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The National Human Development Report 2000 emphasizes the importance of establishing the necessary incentives to encourage Georgians to join the formal economy. While the impressive growth of the informal sector has provided a lifeline to many, in the long run the provision of human rights requires a strong and formal economy. Otherwise, much needed government revenues will be difficult to obtain. A big challenge ahead lies in continuing the reforms in those institutions that would encourage and promote business in the formal sector.

I remain optimistic on the chances to successfully build a Georgian society that can benefit from the full range of agreed values of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I wish success to the readers of this National Human Development Report 2000 in contributing to the positive development of building a prosperous society in Georgia. And in particular, I wish success to the young readers who will need to play a crucial role in ensuring the success of this change process.

Marco Borsotti
UN Resident Coordinator
UNDP Resident Representative