On February 8, 2024, the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) held an international conference – Good Governance Forum 2024. 

The Forum theme was – Advancing Good Governance: Best Practices and Challenges on the Path towards EU Integration. The event aimed to advance the reform agenda for good governance in Georgia by raising awareness, facilitating the exchange of best practices, and fostering robust debate. With its primary goal of advancing the reform agenda for good governance in Georgia, the Forum achieved this by thoroughly exploring the ongoing reforms within European Union candidate countries, with a specific emphasis on their efforts to strengthen the principles of good governance. The central objective was to closely examine the primary challenges faced by these countries and to evaluate the importance of good governance reforms in achieving the goals of democratic consolidation. 

The Forum was opened by Mr. Giorgi Kldiashvili, Executive Director of IDFI. “The 2023 Enlargement Package, initiated by the European Commission, marked a historic milestone for Georgia and our friends in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. The journey toward EU integration demands the instigation of numerous reforms in our respective countries. At the core of this progression lies the crucial exchange of best practices, intertwined with dialogues addressing common challenges, opportunities, and obstacles. And I believe, the GG Forum 2024 can serve as an effective catalyst for positive development.“ - Giorgi Kldiashvili pointed out.

Opening remarks were delivered by H.E. Mark Clayton – British Ambassador to Georgia, Mr. Douglas Webb - UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Georgia, Mr. Nicholas Cendrowicz - Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Georgia, Mr. Erik Illes - Head of Development Cooperation and Deputy Head of Mission of Sweden to Georgia and Ms. Corinne Rothblum – Deputy Director, Office of Democracy, Rights, and Governance (DRG), USAID/Georgia.   

After the opening remarks, panel discussions were opened. The Forum featured panel discussions on various good governance issues: Fighting corruption: Institutional Reforms, Holistic Measures, and Political Will; Prevent and Counter Organized Crime and Money Laundering; Public Administration Reform; Gender Mainstreaming of Good Governance Reforms; Innovative Mechanisms for Fighting Corruption and Improving Competition: Innovations in Public Procurement and Beneficial Ownership Transparency Standards; Civil Society Engagement in Reforms; Open Government Partnership (OGP) initiative, etc.

With the participation of the representatives of local and international stakeholders, including public institutions, civil society, think tanks, international organizations, the panels not only discussed global trends, best practices, needs, and significant challenges encountered by Eastern European and Western Balkan countries but also endeavoured to uncover innovative methodologies for effectively addressing the inherent challenges in implementing democratic principles within these regions.

The Forum was organized by the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), with the financial support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), with additional co-funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UK Government, USAID National Governance Program, the USAID Economic Governance Program, UN Women Georgia,  EU Global Facility on AML/CFT Program, and Open Government Partnership (OGP).

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