Dear Madame Minister,

With deep appreciation for the excellent cooperation that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) enjoys in Georgia, I am writing to inform you that UNDP is organizing a major high-level conference in Tbilisi dedicated to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) on Tuesday, 3 December 2019, at the Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel in Tbilisi, starting at 10:00 AM. This event will showcase efforts being undertaken to protect the rights of PwDs in Georgia and mark five years since the country ratified the relevant UN Convention. One innovative focus of the conference will be on the vast potential for artificial intelligence to help realize the rights of PwDs.

In recognition of the key role your ministry plays in ensuring the full inclusion of PwDs in all aspects of social and economic life, we would be deeply honored to have you join us to deliver a brief opening speech at the conference.

The agenda and concept note for the event are attached here for your reference.

As you can see, the event draws together many partners, including the Government, the Parliament, the Public Defender, the European Union, Sweden, the UK and Denmark, and we expect several hundred people to attend. Most of the opening speakers are already confirmed.

Recognizing your very busy agenda, we hope you will be able to join us to mark this important date and show your solidarity with PwDs.

For further information, please feel free to contact Mariam Tutberidze at mariam.tutberidze@undp.org or 577 12 70 42.

With warm personal regards,

Louisa