Georgia has been ranked among the countries with zero impact of terrorism, according to the latest report by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP). The 2024 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) shows that Georgia improved its score by 0.5 points, reaching the lowest possible level of 0. The report also praises Georgia’s efforts in countering violent extremism and promoting peace and security in the region.
What is the GTI and How is it Calculated?
The GTI is an annual report that provides a comprehensive summary of the key global trends and patterns in terrorism. It ranks 163 countries according to their level of impact from terrorism, based on four indicators: the number of terrorist incidents, the number of fatalities, the number of injuries, and the level of property damage. The GTI covers 99.7% of the world’s population and uses data from the Global Terrorism Database (GTD), the world’s most authoritative source on terrorist events.
The GTI score ranges from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates the lowest impact of terrorism and 10 indicates the highest. The GTI also analyzes the drivers and enablers of terrorism, such as socio-economic factors, political instability, conflict, and human rights violations. The GTI aims to inform policy makers, researchers, media, and the public about the trends and dynamics of terrorism, and to provide a basis for dialogue and action to reduce its impact.
How Did Georgia Achieve Zero Terrorism?
Georgia has been consistently improving its GTI score since 2016, when it reached 1.5 points. In 2020, Georgia scored 0.5 points, ranking 138th out of 163 countries. In 2024, Georgia achieved the lowest possible score of 0, joining 39 other countries with zero impact of terrorism. These countries include Canada, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, and New Zealand.
According to the GTI report, Georgia’s success in reducing terrorism can be attributed to several factors, such as:
- The effective implementation of the National Strategy and Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE), which was adopted in 2019 and updated in 2023. The strategy and action plan aim to address the root causes and drivers of violent extremism, such as radicalization, recruitment, financing, and propaganda. The strategy and action plan also involve the participation and cooperation of various stakeholders, such as government agencies, civil society, media, religious leaders, and international partners.
- The strengthening of the legal and institutional framework for combating terrorism and its financing, such as the adoption of the Law on Combating Terrorism in 2020 and the establishment of the Financial Monitoring Service (FMS) in 2021. The law defines terrorism and its related offenses, and provides the legal basis for the investigation, prosecution, and prevention of terrorism. The FMS is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information on suspicious financial transactions and activities related to terrorism and its financing.
- The enhancement of the regional and international cooperation and coordination on counter-terrorism and P/CVE, such as the participation in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, the NATO Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, the EU Counter-Terrorism Forum, and the OSCE Transnational Threats Department. Georgia also signed bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding with several countries, such as the United States, Turkey, Israel, and India, on counter-terrorism and P/CVE cooperation.
What are the Benefits of Being a Zero Terrorism Country?
Being a zero terrorism country means that Georgia enjoys a high level of peace and security, which has positive implications for its social, economic, and political development. Some of the benefits of being a zero terrorism country are:
- The protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, such as the right to life, liberty, and security of person, the right to freedom of expression, religion, and association, and the right to participate in public affairs and elections.
- The promotion of social cohesion and harmony, such as the respect for diversity, tolerance, and dialogue among different ethnic, religious, and cultural groups, and the prevention of discrimination, hate speech, and violence.
- The improvement of economic growth and prosperity, such as the attraction of foreign direct investment, trade, tourism, and innovation, and the creation of jobs, income, and opportunities for the population.
- The advancement of political stability and democracy, such as the consolidation of the rule of law, good governance, and accountability, and the enhancement of the legitimacy, credibility, and trust of the government and its institutions.
How Can Georgia Maintain its Zero Terrorism Status?
While Georgia has achieved remarkable progress in eliminating the impact of terrorism, it still faces some challenges and risks that could undermine its peace and security. Some of these challenges and risks are:
- The potential spillover of terrorism and violent extremism from neighboring countries and regions, such as Russia, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran, where terrorist groups such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Hezbollah operate and recruit followers.
- The possible emergence of new forms and methods of terrorism and violent extremism, such as cyberterrorism, bioterrorism, and lone-wolf attacks, which are harder to detect, prevent, and respond to.
- The vulnerability of some segments of the population to radicalization and extremism, such as youth, women, minorities, and migrants, who may face social, economic, and political marginalization, exclusion, and discrimination.
To address these challenges and risks, Georgia needs to continue and enhance its efforts in the following areas:
- The monitoring and evaluation of the implementation and impact of the P/CVE strategy and action plan, and the adjustment and update of the measures and activities based on the changing context and needs.
- The capacity building and training of the relevant authorities and personnel involved in counter-terrorism and P/CVE, such as law enforcement, intelligence, judiciary, and civil servants, to ensure their professionalism, effectiveness, and compliance with human rights standards.
- The awareness raising and education of the public and the media on the threats and consequences of terrorism and violent extremism, and the promotion of critical thinking, media literacy, and digital citizenship skills.
- The engagement and empowerment of the civil society and the private sector in counter-terrorism and P/CVE, and the support and recognition of their initiatives and contributions.
- The development and implementation of the national resilience strategy and action plan, which aims to enhance the ability of the country and its people to cope with, adapt to, and recover from various shocks and stresses, such as natural disasters, pandemics, and conflicts.
Georgia has proven its commitment and capability to achieve and maintain zero terrorism, and to serve as a role model and a partner for other countries in the region and beyond. By sustaining and strengthening its efforts in counter-terrorism and P/CVE, Georgia can ensure its peace and security, and contribute to the global fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
