In 1992 he graduated from Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University with a degree in International Law. Fluent in English and Russian.

In the same year, Davit Zalkaliani started working as an attaché in the Department of International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, and in three years, in 1995, in the same department, as the Deputy Head of the Division. An important challenge during this period was to establish Georgia's place in international organizations and to actively participate in their activities. During this period, Georgia began to deepen cooperation with the European Union (later the European Union), which in 1992 recognized Georgia as an independent state. Cooperation between Georgia and the European Union at that time was mainly focused on humanitarian and technical issues, in which David Zalkaliani actively participated.

In 1996-2000, Zalkaliani continued to work as an advisor to the Embassy of Georgia in the Republic of Austria. Participated in the negotiation of the Conventional Arms Adaptation Treaty in Europe, as well as in the 1994 OSCE Budapest, the 1996 Lisbon Summit and the 1999 Istanbul Summit. Davit Zalkaliani was actively involved in the negotiations on the withdrawal of military bases of the Russian Federation from the territory of Georgia. During his tenure in Austria, the Georgian ambassador to Vienna was a prominent Georgian diplomat, Levan Mikeladze. Later, together with Levan Mikeladze, Davit Zalkaliani will move to public and political activities.

In 2000-2001, Zalkaliani continued his career as an advisor in the Department of European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His field of activity included the deepening of bilateral relations with European countries.

In 2001-2002, Zalkaliani returned to Vienna and held the position of Deputy Permanent Representative of Georgia.

In 2002-2004, David Zalkaliani continued to work as a Senior Advisor at the Embassy of Georgia in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The period of his work is related to the strengthening of US assistance in the field of defense.

In 2007, Zalkaliani was the Director of the Global Relations Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia for the next one year.

In 2008, David Zalkaliani was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Belarus.

In 2015, Davit Zalkaliani continued his activities as the Executive Director of the newly established Levan Mikeladze Foundation. During her time at the Foundation, her work has been related to public policy research and advocacy projects, capacity building for diplomats, and academic and public discussions on foreign policy priorities.

In 2016-2018, Davit Zalkaliani again held the position of First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, and on June 21, 2018, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs.

He has a wife and two daughters.