Working visit to Sweden and Denmark

The team of the UN Global Compact Network Georgia — Executive Director Salome Zurabishvili, Deputy Director Nino Kvantrishvili, Senior Manager of Projects and Fundraising – Bakur Kvaratskhelia, and Head of Business Integrity and Private Sector Engagement Manager – Maia Giorgadze — paid a working visit to Sweden and Denmark from June 8 to 14, 2025, alongside representatives of member companies of the Network.

Participants in the visit included representatives from ACT, TBC Bank, Crystal, Tene, Biodiesel Georgia, the Georgian Distributors Business Association, the Retail Association, Vazisubani Estate, the Design Institute and Terminal, as well as BMG and Euronews Georgia.

The visit commenced in Stockholm, where meetings were held with Sweden’s leading companies and organisations. The delegation was hosted by Bonnier Group, the Swedish Union of Journalists, Open Trade Gate Sweden, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Business Sweden, the Swedish Anti-Corruption Institute, and Danske Bank. These host organisations presented their activities and sustainability initiatives to the representatives of the UN Global Compact Network Georgia. The discussions also covered Swedish companies’ experience in efficient resource use and climate-smart approaches. Additionally, emphasis was placed on the role of media in raising awareness about sustainable development and responsible business practices.

During the meeting at Sida, the focus was on Sida’s operations in Eastern Europe and opportunities for private sector support in Georgia. Sida representatives introduced tools for mobilising private capital and blended finance mechanisms, which are especially important for supporting Georgian businesses and investments.

The discussion with Open Trade Gate Sweden covered ongoing cooperation with companies in Georgia’s textile and apparel sector. Meanwhile, the meeting with Business Sweden centered on Swedish business practices that support sustainable growth, international investments, and global sales.

A roundtable discussion on the topic of “Circular Economy” was held during the meeting with the UN Global Compact Network Sweden. Participants included Murman Pataraia, Founder and Managing Partner of Biodiesel Georgia, and Ketevan Ishkneli, Head of Syndications, International Financial Institutions Relations, and Sustainable Finance at TBC Bank.

As part of the visit, meetings were held in Lund and Malmö, where the representatives of the UN Global Compact Network Georgia were hosted by the companies Alfa Laval, IKEA, and Tetra Pak. Representatives of the Swedish companies discussed in detail their ESG strategies, the importance of corporate sustainability, and the strategies developed to combat climate change. Key focus areas included waste reduction, the implementation of green innovations, promotion of sustainable food systems, and support for the circular economy.

On June 14, meetings were held in Copenhagen, where representatives of the Network were hosted by State of Green, the UN Global Compact European Hub, and the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI). During these meetings, participants explored Danish models for implementing ESG standards and emphasised the role of the private sector in sustainable development

The visit was carried out in partnership with the Embassies of Sweden and Denmark, the UN Global Compact Networks in Sweden and Denmark, and was funded by Sweden as part of the project “Leadership for Sustainable Development in Georgia.”