Executive Office
The Executive Office is headed by the Ambassador. The American Ambassador to Georgia is the personal representative of the President of the United States. The Ambassador is charged with ensuring that the U.S. Mission effectively carries out the foreign policy of the United States with respect to Georgia and is responsible for the direction, coordination and supervision of all USG personnel and programs in Georgia. The Ambassador endeavors to make United States policies better known and understood in Georgia, and ensures that policy makers in the United States have the information they need to understand the situation in Georgia. The Ambassador is assisted by the Deputy Chief of Mission, who assumes the title of Charge d’Affaires ad interim when the Ambassador is away from Georgia.
Commercial Section
The Commercial Section-Tbilisi offers a range of services to assist U.S. firms interested in developing market opportunities or increasing their business in Georgia. These services include but are not limited to the Partner Search (identifying local agents/distributors of U.S. goods and services), and facilitating contacts/meetings between U.S. and Georgian businesspeople. We produce regular market bulletins made available to U.S. companies, provide in-country counseling to U.S. firms seeking new opportunities or facing obstacles. Our specialists focus on various industry sectors representing the best trade and investment potential for U.S. firms.
Other services provided are:
- Information on enterprises in Georgia slated for privatization
- American Export Register Book – Lists of American Companies by sector
- Commercial News, a monthly DOC publication is distributed
- American trade show events are advertised and promoted
- 2009 Country Commercial Guide (PDF 801 KB)
- Legal and Business Consulting Firms in Tbilisi, Georgia (PDF 27 KB)
- U.S. Commercial Service – Market Research and Reports for Georgia
Contact us: Tbilisicommerce@state.gov
Consular Section
The Consular Section is staffed by American Foreign Service Officers and a staff of both Georgian and American citizens who provide services to American citizens in Georgia, as well as help with a variety of questions concerning the issuance of U.S. visas. For detailed information: Click on U.S. Visas for immigrant and non-immigrant visa information. Click on U.S. Citizens Services for information including:
- Passport issues (including lost/stolen/replacement, U.S. citizen registration)
- Citizenship issues (acquisition and report of birth abroad)
- American citizen services (welfare and whereabouts, deaths, arrests, medical and legal information)
- Voting information and notarial services.
Consular Section Contact Information
- Address: 29 Georgian-American Friendship Avenue
Didi Dighomi
Tbilisi, 0131, Georgia - Consular Section Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Closed during these holidays.
American Citizen Services
- Telephone: (995-32) 227 77 24
- Contact the American Citizens Services Unit through the U.S. Citizens Services Navigator (Google Forms).
If you are an American citizen with an after-hours emergency, please contact the duty officer at: (995 32) 227-70-00. Please note that only safety and welfare emergency ACS cases will be handled after hours and no visa inquiries will be addressed.
U.S. Visa Information Service
- Callers in Georgia: (995 32) 2471 160
- Callers in the United States: 703-988-7103
- Email: support-georgia@ustraveldocs.com
- Website: http://www.
ustraveldocs.com/ge/
Defense Attaché
The Defense Attaché is the primary military advisor to the Ambassador and Country Team on military issues and developments within Georgia, appointed as the Senior Defense Official in the country by the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He also represents the Secretary of Defense, all Service Secretaries, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the U.S. European Command in Georgia. The Defense Attaché observes and reports on Georgian military and security developments, advises the Ambassador and DCM on political-military issues, and supports Department of Defense (DoD) and armed services’ VIP visitors to Georgia.
Department of Justice
Georgia Justice Sector Development Program
INL fully funds initiatives managed by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) to assist the Government of Georgia by means of a Resident Legal Advisor (RLA) posted to the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi and supported by experienced attorneys and staff at DOJ headquarters. Initiated in February 1999, the OPDAT Georgia program is extremely busy and productive in its anti-corruption efforts, as well as responsible for the planning and implementation of criminal justice training and assistance programs. Jared C. Kimball, the current RLA, is an Assistant United States Attorney in Spokane, Washington, and is an experienced federal and state prosecutor. Mr. Kimball is aided by a Legal Specialist, Nata Tsnoriashvili, who is an attorney who has studied in Georgia, the UK, and the United States.
Drafting a new Criminal Procedure Code (CPC)
The Georgian legal and law enforcement sectors, particularly the Prosecutor’s Office, are casting off their retrograde and corrupt Soviet legacy and moving toward a criminal justice system based on the rule of law and democratic principles. With ongoing help from the RLA and visiting US practitioner and professors, a working group completed a lengthy and open process of drafting a new CPC. The new CPC was adopted in October 2009- a historic achievement for Georgia. This new code is a Georgian code, and a hybrid between the U.S. model and the Continental legal system. The new CPC will facilitate effective criminal investigations and prosecutions in a manner that respects civil liberties, and which and affords greater due process protections for the accused. Jury trials will also be implemented in 2010 for murder cases in Tbilisi. The new CPC introduces a full adversarial system to criminal courts and demands greater independence of the judiciary.
Training
In order to educate the Prosecutor’s Office on the changes which will come in force with the new Criminal Procedure Code, the RLA conducts ongoing practical training programs for Georgian prosecutors. . The RLA conducts monthly mock trial sessions for prosecutors. This will provide the prosecutors with the skills necessary to successfully implement the CPC. The RLA also presents frequent training seminars and workshops on criminal law and criminal procedure related topics as requested by the Ministry of Justice. This includes prosecutorial ethics, prosecutorial discretion, and crime scene evidence handling and chain of custody considerations. .
Procuracy Reform
The RLA and visiting DOJ experts are helping the Procuracy implement OPDAT proposals for mandatory financial disclosure, annual ethics training, the creation an IG/OPR office, and the establishment of standards for hiring, firing, and promotion. Further, with INL funds, OPDAT has established regional prosecutor libraries. These contain the latest legislation and legal practice materials in renovated rooms equipped with a computer for both word processing and internet access, as well as a printer and fax. This, for the first time, establishes nation-wide communication and coordination on criminal legal matters and improves knowledge and skill level. RLA also supports community prosecution models where prosecutors go into the community to work with students and community leaders on areas of common focus, current crime trends, public awareness, and on developing alternative community-based sanctions for juvenile offenders in lieu of prison.
Additional Current RLA Activities/Projects
The U.S. Department of Justice RLA and its INL-funded FY09 efforts will focus on implementing Georgia’s new and reformed CPC nationwide. This includes institutionalizing a trial advocacy training program for prosecutors. INL/OPDAT will fund CPC and jury trial trainings for Georgian Judges delivered by U.S. Federal Judges. The RLA and INL will assist Georgia in developing jury related instructional materials and handouts. The RLA and INL will assist with production of public service announcements on the new components of the CPC; to-wit: Defendant’s rights; witness rights; jury trials/jury duty; discretionary prosecution and prosecution diversion programs; victim’s rights; and the independent role of the judge under the new CPC. The RLA and INL will assist in the production of a CPC Commentary/Annotated Code for legal practitioners and with the development of commentary on rules of evidence.
The RLA overseas a Criminal Court Monitoring Project to monitor current court practices and to gauge barriers to new CPC implementation. The RLA supports internal management reforms in the Prosecution Service including ethics reform and reform of media and public relations. The RLA provides support and expertise for substantive trainings for law enforcement officials on current trends in the Criminal Justice System. The RLA assists the Witness Protection Unit with creation of implementing legislation. The RLA assists Georgia in streamlining child pornography legislation and enforcement provisions. The RLA will support the further development of the prosecutor’s proposed ICCMS (Integrated Criminal Case Management System) by offering planning and development assistance, and by providing technical expertise to the Georgian Ministry of Justice.
DOJ GEORGIA OFFICE STAFF
The INL section is currently staffed by four full-time employees: LES Chief; Senior Police Advisor; and, one foreign service national. The INL-funded RLA section includes an Assistant U.S. Attorney and a Foreign Service National. Additionally, a Forensic adviser and former criminal investigator for the Internal Revenue Service provide technical advice.
To contact us by phone, please use the Embassy general number: (995 32) 227-70-00
PARTNERS IN GEORGIA
In August 2000, DOJ increased its support to Georgia by contributing funding to the American Bar Association’s Central and East European Law Initiative Criminal Law Program (DOJ/CEELI).
In March 2002, DOJ/OPDAT issued a grant to American University’s Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC) to commence money-laundering and corruption research projects in Tbilisi, Georgia. See http://www.traccc.cdn.ge/
Georgian contacts of the Department of Justice
- General Prosecutor’s office of Georgia – (on matters of reforming and restructuring current prosecutorial system)
- Georgian Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee – http://www.parliament.ge/ (on matters on Criminal Procedure legislation) Ministry of the Internal
- Affairs – http://www.police.ge/ (on a matter of fight with Human Trafficking and Money Laundering crimes)
- Supreme Court – http://www.supremecourt.ge/ (on matters related to the Role of Judiciary in a Reform of Criminal Justice Sector)
- National Security Council of Georgia – http://nsc.gov.ge/ (on matters of implementing Anti Corruption Program of Georgia)
- Council of Justice of Georgia – Tel: (995 32) 227 31 05 (on matters of competency testing for law enforcement employees)
Management Section
The Management Section provides services to agencies represented at the US Mission in Georgia. The Management Section maintains the Chancery compound (including chancery, annex, warehouse, maintenance shops, Marine Security Guard house, and gym) and residential properties. In addition to the Management Counselor, this section is served by a Management Officer, a Human Resources Officer, a Financial Management Officer, a Foreign Service Health Practitioner, a General Services Officer, a Facilities Maintenance Specialist, Information Resource Management Officers, a Community Liaison Officer and local-hire employees.
Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)
Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) supports several U.S. Embassy Tbilisi objectives such as Euro-Atlantic Integration, International Cooperation, and Peace and Security measures. Primary DTRA Programs active in Georgia are the Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) Biological Threat Reduction Program (BTRP), the Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation Prevention Program (WMD PPP), the International Counterproliferation Program (ICP), and Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Consequence Management.
Key DTRA programs in Georgia include the following:
- Biological Threat Reduction Program (BTRP)-Georgia addresses danger to the U.S. and global health security posed by the risk of outbreaks of dangerous infectious diseases by promoting best practices in biological safety and security, improving Georgia’s capacity to rapidly detect and report dangerous infections, and establishing and enhancing international research partnerships. BTRP-Georgia is implemented in partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, and also in close collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Agency for International Development. The crowning achievement of these collaborations is the Richard Lugar Center for Public Health Research, a state of the art biosafety level 3 research facility constructed by DTRA and handed over to the Georgian National Center for Disease Control for operation and ownership in 2013.
- WMD-PPP is a vessel modernization and port infrastructure upgrade program carried out in close cooperation with the U.S. Department of State’s Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program along the Black Sea Coast. Through PPP, DTRA and EXBS have partnered with the Georgian Coast Guard and Border Police to improve Georgia’s ability to detect and interdict WMD related materials “on the move” along the coast by addressing gaps in maintenance, infrastructure, logistics and sustainment capabilities with these port and equipment upgrades.
- ICP provides training and equipment for law enforcement, emergency response, and border security entities, and program activities compliment the goals of the EXBS program. ICP core objectives are to assist in the establishment of a professional cadre of law enforcement, emergency response, and border security personnel; enhance the ability of aforementioned entities to detect, interdict, identify, investigate, and respond to trafficking of WMD-related materials; and to establish a long-term and mutually beneficial working relationship between the U.S., Georgian and other regional agencies.
- CBRN Consequence Management Program focuses on providing training to emergency response personnel and establishes a national doctrine on CBRN response.
DTRA partners with a variety of Georgian Ministries and agencies to achieve these objectives. Key intergovernmental collaborators working toward public and animal health goals include The Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, National Center for Disease Control and Public Health; and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture’s Laboratories and the National Food Agency. Other key collaborators working with DTRA toward proliferation prevention and CBRN Consequence Management goals include the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Coast Guard and Border Police, the State Security Service of Georgia, and the Ministry of Defense.
The DTRA Eurasia office at U.S. Embassy Tbilisi is regional and is responsible for coordinating the activities of DTRA forward offices in Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. More information about DTRA’s mission can be found at http://www.dtra.mil/.
Click here to see all DTRA Projects throughout Georgia on Facebook (Facebook account required)
Political-Economic Section (Pol/Econ)
The Political-Economic (Pol/Econ) Section presents U.S. foreign and security policy positions to the Government of Georgia and interprets Georgia’s major foreign, defense and security policies for Washington. The Pol/Econ Section also analyzes and reports on significant events and trends in Georgian domestic politics (elections, political parties, regional relations, media, human rights etc.) in-so-far-as they affect Georgia’s relationship with the U.S.
The Political-Economic Section provides Washington and Embassy officials with accurate, timely, first-hand reporting and expert analysis of significant economic and financial developments in Georgia, to advance U.S. economic and commercial policies, interests and goals including Georgia’s transition to a market economy, to coordinate the effective delivery of technical assistance to the Government of Georgia, and to assist U.S. business with trade and investment issues.
Current issues include status of implementation of the Georgian Government’s reform program, social and economic conditions across Georgia, reform of the financial system, investment climate, trade, Georgia’s role in the regional economy, and energy issues. To contact us, please email tbilisipolecon@state.gov
Public Affairs Section (PAS)
The Public Affairs Section (PAS) supports the goals and priorities established by the U.S. Embassy. Its role is to inform Georgians about U.S. political, economic and social institutions, and U.S. policies on all issues of interest to Georgians. The Public Affairs section also carries out a number of academic, cultural and information programs, which can be found here.
Regional Security Office (RSO)
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) oversees all security related matters of the Department of State, to include criminal investigations, VIP protection, and security at U.S. Government facilities within the United States as well as all U.S. missions, embassies, and consular posts abroad.
The Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) is a unique organization that plays an essential role within the U.S. Department of State.
The Bureau’s personnel – who include special agents, engineers, technicians, diplomatic couriers, Civil Service specialists, and contractors, work together as a team to ensure that the State Department can carry out its foreign policy missions safely and securely. Diplomatic Security (DS) has a broad scope of global responsibilities, with protection of people, information, and property as its top priority. In the United States, the Bureau protects the Secretary of State, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and foreign dignitaries below the head-of-state level who visit the United States. DS develops and implements security programs to protect the more than 90 domestic State Department facilities as well as the residence of the Secretary of State.
Overseas, DS develops and implements effective security programs to safeguard all personnel who work in every U.S. diplomatic mission around the world. DS investigates passport and visa fraud, conducts personnel security investigations, and issues security clearances. The Bureau also assists foreign embassies and consulates in the United States with the security for their missions and personnel. In addition, DS administers the Rewards for Justice Program. It is one of the U.S. government’s most valuable assets in the war against terrorism.
The Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) is the parent organization of the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) is the federal law enforcement arm of the United States Department of State and is the primary mechanism by which DS accomplishes its law enforcement (criminal investigative) and security missions worldwide. Both terms, DSS or DS, are used interchangeably within the State Department and other agencies to refer to the DSS. The DSS is structured as a federal law enforcement agency, primarily made up of U.S. Federal Agents mandated to serve domestically and overseas. The majority of its Special Agents are members of the Foreign Service and federal law enforcement agents at the same time, making them unique. The DSS is the most widely represented U.S. law enforcement agency worldwide with representation in nearly every country in the world.
Overseas, DSS Special Agents are called Regional Security Officers (RSOs), and are charged with the security and law enforcement duties at U.S. missions, embassies, and consular posts. The Regional Security Office is responsible for managing and coordinating all Department of State security programs and initiatives at USG facilities abroad, and the Regional Security Officer serves as the senior security/law enforcement advisor to the U.S. Ambassador at each mission.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is a U.S. federal agency under the Department of Defense and a major Army command made up of some 36,500 civilian and military personnel, making it one of the world’s largest public engineering, design, and construction management agencies. USACE was established in 1802 as a separate Division of the Army. The Corps of Engineers headquarters is located in Washington D.C. USACE is involved in a wide range of engineering activities throughout the world. Our mission is to Deliver vital public and military engineering services; partnering in peace and war to strengthen our Nation’s security, energize the economy and reduce risks from disasters. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is organized geographically into eight permanent divisions. Within each division, there are several districts.
USACE Caucasus Project office belongs to Europe district established in 2002; as Design/Construction Agent it supports the U.S. Embassy Assistance programs to Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan; USACE helps our customers to solve their toughest engineering challenging through planning, design, construction, environmental services, and project management to meet infrastructure requirements for our customers. These include U.S. Export Control and Border Protection Service(EXBS) program; the International Narcotics & Law Enforcement (INL) program; U.S. EUCOM Humanitarian Assistance program through the Office of Defense Corporation (ODC); and USAID. Through deeds, not words, we are BUILDING STRONG. ESSAYONS!
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Since 2005, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Caucasus Agricultural Development Initiative (CADI) has provided $7.7 million of technical assistance to Georgia under Freedom Support Act (FSA) funds.
USDA expects to receive $1.5 million for FY 09. The program goals are to increase Georgian integration into global agricultural markets by building the capacity of sustainable public institutions in agriculture and to assist Georgia in its economic growth by helping reform government services offered to the agricultural sector.
More information is available at www.fas.usda.gov.
U.S. Treasury
The U.S. Treasury provides technical assistance to the Georgia Revenue Service. In 2012-2014 the U.S. Treasury Office of Technical Assistance Revenue Advisory Program’s mission in Georgia was to assist the Revenue Service in their quest to create a modern and effective tax administration. The emphasis was on teaching the auditors how to audit tax returns. This endeavor included classroom instruction,
on the job training and one-on-one assistance.
In addition to the assistance by the resident advisor/project manager, a number of short term advisors assisted the Revenue Service in other functions, such as Human Resources, Quality Review, Appeals, Alcohol and Tobacco Excise Taxes, Audit Selection Processes, Customs and Audit Management. In 2014-2015 the emphasis is switched to a focus on
customs processes to safeguard Georgia’s borders and to create an efficient and effective customs administration.
For more information, visit the Office of Technical Assistance:
http://www.treasuryota.us/
USAID
A federal agency, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is responsible for U.S. foreign economic assistance to developing countries around the world. It assists countries in undertaking democratic and economic reforms, recovering from disaster, and trying to rise above poverty. It is based in Washington D.C., has field offices all over the world, and is funded by U.S. taxpayers. USAID works closely with the Department of State to align programs and receives policy guidance from and reports to the Secretary of State.
USAID has provided over $1 billion in humanitarian and development aid to Georgia since assistance began in 1992. The objectives in Georgia are focused on building democracy, promoting regional stability, and fostering economic growth and health services. In the next four years, USAID programs aim to foster new attitudes and values that encourage citizens to be responsible and accountable for their country. The four long-term objectives in the country center on economic growth, energy sector reform, democracy and governance, and social and health services development.
Peace Corps
President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961 to foster understanding and promote friendship among Americans and people of other countries. The Peace Corps is always adapting to the times and to an ever-changing world but has never wavered from its three original goals:
- To help the people of interested countries in meeting their needs for trained men and women.
- To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
- To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans
Peace Corps Volunteers work at the grassroots level with schools, communities, small businesses, and community members to develop sustainable solutions to locally identified priorities in agriculture community economic development, education, environment, health, and youth development. When they return home, Volunteers bring their knowledge and experiences – and a global outlook – back to the United States that enriches the lives of those around them.
Georgia welcomed the first group of Peace Corps Volunteers in 2001 in an English teaching project. Each year a group of American Volunteers arrives in Georgia to live with Georgian host families and serve alongside Georgian partners. Peace Corps Georgia works in three major project areas and four major focus areas in ten regions across Georgia: Adjara, Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Racha, Samegrelo, Samtskhe-Javakheti, and Shida Kartli.
Since 2001, over 725 Volunteers have served in Georgia, exchanging skills with their counterparts and community members, sharing American culture, and taking a part of Georgian culture back to the United States. Currently, approximately 120 Volunteers are serving across the country.
Projects
- English Education (since 2001)
- Individual and Organizational Development (since 2004)
- Response (since 2010)
Focus Areas
- Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment
- Youth and Volunteerism
- Technology for Development
- Healthy Lifestyles