As the year draws to a close, we celebrate a milestone of profound significance: the 70th anniversary of Albania’s membership in the United Nations. On 14 December 1955, Albania joined the UN alongside 15 other countries, affirming its commitment to multilateralism and to the shared principles of peace, cooperation, and respect for international law. Albania has played an active role within the United Nations, contributing to international efforts to promote peace and security, advance sustainable development, and uphold human rights. Most recently, Albania served as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council from 2022 to 2023, is currently a member of the Human Rights Council, and has co-led successfully the negotiations on the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20) review process. Over the years, Albania has also deployed hundreds of peacekeepers to UN missions worldwide, contributing directly to stability and protection in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. Albania’s engagement with the United Nations is further reflected in the hundreds of Albanian professionals working across the UN system globally and at country level, including national staff in Albania. Their daily work - across peace and security, development, humanitarian action, and human rights - demonstrates Albania’s contribution to multilateral action in practical and human terms. At the country level, the partnership between the Government of Albania and the United Nations has continued to deepen, supporting national priorities and reforms, advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, in line with the country's major objective of becoming a member of the European Union, by strengthening institutions, human capital, social cohesion, and resilience across economic, social, environmental, and human rights dimensions. This cooperation reflects a shared responsibility to deliver tangible results for people and to ensure that no one is left behind. As we commemorate this anniversary during the festive season, we are reminded that effective multilateral cooperation is not only a legacy of the past 70 years, but a necessity for the future. Together, we reaffirm our commitment to a strong and effective United Nations and to continued partnership in addressing global and national challenges. The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania and the United Nations in Albania extend their warmest wishes for a joyful holiday season and a New Year marked by renewed hope, progress, and a strengthened partnership in service of humanity. 

In the midst of global market pressures, shifting consumer expectations, and Albania’s longstanding challenges with rural migration, a quiet but powerful movement is emerging across the country’s northern and southeastern regions. It is led not by large corporations, but by small and medium-sized producers—families, artisans, and local entrepreneurs—who are choosing not just to survive, but to grow, improve, and reach beyond national borders. From Shkodra’s rugged landscapes to Korça’s fertile plains, a quiet transformation is unfolding. Not the kind sparked by big factories or multinational corporations, but by small family businesses, young entrepreneurs, who believe that local products can shine on international shelves.Faced with growing opportunities in the European market and rising global demand for herbal, natural, and artisanal products, nine SMEs have stepped forward to strengthen their standards, improve their processes, and prepare for export readiness. Their journeys are supported by the Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP Albania), implemented by UNIDO and funded by the Swiss Government through SECO. This is not only the story of certification. It is the story of ambition, courage, and the rediscovery of Albania’s natural wealth.“Quality as a Journey: why these SMEs said yes to change”For years, Albanian products—cheeses, wines, soaps, herbal teas—have carried the taste and scent of the land. But entering European markets requires more than authenticity. It requires traceability, safety, documentation, and internationally recognized standards.These nine SMEs didn’t see this as an obstacle. They saw it as a bridge. Certification—ISO 9001:2015, HACCP, ISO 22000:2018, GMP—is their passport into the world beyond Albania’s borders. And with every new form, every documented process, every corrected procedure, their confidence grows. They are not simply preparing for audits. They are preparing for opportunity.Natyra Ime: turning herbs into export-ready beautyIn a quiet workshop in northern Albania, surrounded by fields of lavender, sage, and mountain tea, Natyra Ime is creating something meaningful—one handmade soap at a time. Their products, crafted from olive oil and medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), reflect purity, sustainability, and a profound connection to nature.Each soap is more than a cosmetic item—it is a cultural expression. It carries the labor of rural women who gather herbs by hand, the biodiversity of Albania’s mountainous region, and the aspiration to bring local identity into international cosmetic markets. Through GQSP’s support, Natyra Ime is now preparing for ISO 9001:2015, ensuring that every bar of soap meets the consistency, documentation, and traceability required for export. Their story shows how tradition, when paired with standards, becomes opportunity.Djathi Veleçik: where mountain herbs meet modern standards Nestled in the highlands, Djathi Veleçik has turned blueberries and sage into signature artisanal cheeses—products that speak to both innovation and heritage. But as the business looks outward, toward specialty European markets, they recognize that flavor must be accompanied by food-safety assurance. By engaging in HACCP and ISO 22000:2018 preparation, Djathi Veleçik is building systems that allow its cheeses to safely enter the broader value chain. Documented processes, risk analyses, and traceability bring the company closer to distributors and delicatessens across the region.Their journey shows how Albania’s mountain products can become premium export goods when backed by internationally recognized standards.Bujtina Këlmendi: herbal hospitality that travels beyond bordersIn the heart of Shkodra’s mountains, Bujtina Këlmendi has long welcomed visitors with teas, infusions, and traditional dishes flavored with local MAPs. Yet their ambition stretches further: to have their herbal products reach customers far beyond Albania’s borders.Through HACCP preparation, the company is shifting from informal tradition to structured, export-ready production—without losing the authenticity at the core of its identity.Their story reflects the rise of gastronomic tourism and the growing global appetite for herbal, artisanal products.Kantina Mani and Kantina Ersi: Wines Infused with Albania’s Botanical SoulTwo wineries—Mani in Shkodra and Ersi in Korça—are blending oenology with botanicals. Their MAPs-infused wines and liqueurs are unlike anything found across Europe. But the road to export requires rigorous safety practices.
Through HACCP, these wineries are creating beverages that are not only unique—but compliant, traceable, and internationally marketable.Their bottles now carry both tradition and certification.Amortentia: essential oil soaps for eco-conscious marketsAmortentia’s essential-oil soaps—crafted with care, intention, and locally sourced botanicals—speak to a growing global audience seeking natural, eco-friendly cosmetics. By advancing toward ISO 9001:2015, the company is building the systems required to scale production, maintain consistency, and communicate trust to international consumers.Their story shows how even the smallest artisanal producers can enter global markets when quality becomes central.Vila Melko & Agro Fruit: from traditional foods to export-ready productsThese two producers share a belief: Albania’s culinary heritage deserves global recognition. Vila Melko focuses on MAPs-based foods and teas, Agro Fruit enhances value through dried fruits and botanical blends. Through HACCP and ISO 22000:2018, they are building systems that meet EU expectations—turning local flavors into export-ready products.MAPs Warehouses: the hidden backbone of every exportBefore MAPs become teas, oils, soaps, wines, or cosmetics, they pass through the hands of processors who dry, sort, and store them. This step defines purity and quality. Preparing for GMP means MAPs Warehouses in Korça are raising the standard not just for themselves—but for the entire value chain. They ensure every exported herb begins with integrity.Local Roots, Global VisionThese nine producers—distinct in size, craft, and history—are united by a shared vision: to elevate Albanian products through quality, standards, and export readiness. Each of them, in their own way, is demonstrating that competitiveness begins with commitment, discipline, and pride in one’s heritage.Their work directly contributes to several global development priorities. By improving agricultural practices and strengthening herbal value chains, they advance SDG 2: sustainable agriculture. Through the active role of women in production, harvesting, and artisanal processing, they support SDG 5: empowerment of rural women. By creating jobs, improving working conditions, and expanding opportunities in rural zones, they enhance SDG 8: decent work and economic growth. Their adoption of certification systems and innovation in processing aligns with SDG 9: industry innovation and certification, while their emphasis on careful resource use and waste reduction reinforces SDG 12: sustainable production. Finally, with their focus on natural products and eco-friendly practices, they contribute to SDG 13: climate-conscious development.What unites them is not only their entrepreneurial drive, but also the strategic and technical support offered through GQSP Albania, implemented by UNIDO and funded by SECO. This support has helped them to professionalize internal operations, improve documentation, strengthen safety and quality systems, and prepare for certification—all essential steps for entering regional and international markets.Their journeys remind us that development does not always begin somewhere else. Often, it begins right where your roots are—in a workshop filled with handmade soaps, in a vineyard touched by mountain air, in a dairy blending tradition with innovation, or in a drying room where herbs are sorted by hand. It begins with people who believe that quality opens doors, and cooperation keeps them open.Through their example, these SMEs are inspiring a new generation of Albanian producers to imagine a future where local products do not simply survive, but thrive—where they travel, compete, and proudly represent Albania across the world.

At the National Reception Centre for Asylum in Tirana, the first thing people seeking asylum encounter isn’t a procedure, it’s a person. Someone who listens. Someone who explains. Someone who helps.That’s what Gledis does. A legal counsellor with Refugee and Migrant Services in Albania (RMSA), a UNHCR national NGO partner, Gledis meets with people who have fled conflict, violence, or persecution and who are now seeking asylum in Albania. Whether newly arrived or temporarily residing at the Centre, they turn to her for guidance. She is on-site weekly and responds when Kejsi, a social worker at the Centre, alerts her about new arrivals referred by border police, helping provide timely and accurate legal support from the outset.“Many have just crossed borders. They’re tired, scared, and unsure of their future,” Gledis says. “Legal counselling means helping them understand their rights, the asylum process, and what support is available.”“I wanted to submit my asylum application, but I had so many questions about how the process worked,” says Leila, who fled Syria. “Meeting Gledis helped me understand each step. Now I know what to expect.” The National Reception Centre for Asylum, Albania’s main state-run facility for people seeking international protection, offers temporary accommodation, psychosocial counselling, language courses, and other essential services to individuals awaiting decisions on their asylum claims. Legal counselling is a vital part of this support and often provides the first moment of clarity for those navigating an unfamiliar system. One-on-one sessions cover everything from registration and asylum interviews to documentation, family tracing, and access to services such as healthcare and education.This work is grounded in collaboration. In her role as a social worker, Kejsi helps identify those in need and refers them for legal support. “They’ve been through so much,” she says. “We try to make this a place where people feel informed and supported from the moment they arrive.”Marwa, who arrived in Albania with her husband after fleeing Syria, applied for asylum in late April 2025 and is now awaiting her second interview with national authorities. Gledis has been supporting them in navigating the process and understanding their rights. A trained dentist, Marwa says: “In today’s counselling session, I asked Gledis about how I can continue my education and what steps I need to take to practice my profession in Albania. I also asked about accessing healthcare for a mild skin condition I recently developed. After speaking with her, I always feel clearer.”Gladis’s and Kejsi’s work is part of a programme funded by the European Union. The Regional Support to Protection-Sensitive Migration Management Systems in the Western Balkans and Türkiye, aims to strengthen the asylum system in Albania is implemented by UNHCR in close coordination with national institutions and partners. Beyond individual counselling, the programme invests in long-term national capacity. Legal practitioners across Albania receive specialized training, and a legal clinic launched in partnership with the Faculty of Law at the University of Tirana will soon expand access to free legal aid for even more refugees and asylum-seekers. “This kind of investment builds sustainability,” says Enkelejda, Protection Associate at UNHCR. “It strengthens the system, not just for today, but for the future.”Thanks to this ongoing support from the European Union, dozens of people in Albania receive free legal counselling each year, guidance that can change the course of their lives. Since the programme started in 2023 till May 2025, around 1,800 have received legal counselling. At the National Reception Centre in Tirana, with timely legal counselling and shared commitment, people seeking asylum in Albania can move forward with greater confidence and hope. 

The Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2) convened Heads of State, governments, and international partners in Doha for a pivotal moment to renew and reinvigorate global commitments to social justice, inclusion, and sustainable development. Moving beyond declarations alone, the summit placed a strong emphasis on practical, country-led solutions. Albania featured prominently, sharing concrete examples of how global commitments are being translated into measurable progress on the ground.Albania’s participation was led by a high-level delegation headed by H.E. Mr. Bajram Begaj, President of the Republic of Albania, and included Ms. Ingrid Macdonald, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Albania, who actively participated in the summit in her role coordinating UN support to national priorities and representing the UN development system at country level. Throughout the week, Ms. Macdonald engaged in high-level discussions, moderated thematic sessions, and presented Albania’s experience in advancing inclusive social development in close partnership with the Government and UN agencies. A central outcome of the summit was the adoption of the Doha World Social Summit Political Declaration, reaffirming that social development is both a moral imperative and a cornerstone of peace, stability, and sustainable growth. The Declaration calls for collective action to end poverty and inequality through stronger social systems, create decent jobs through skills and inclusion, unlock financing for developing countries, and ensure that no one is left behind. These priorities echoed the message of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who emphasized that true development must be rooted in social justice, full employment, and human dignity.As a pathfinder country of the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, supported by the United Nations Joint SDG Fund, Albania showcased progress in aligning decent work, social protection, and just transition policies. In sessions focused on decent work and social protection, Ms. Macdonald moderated discussions highlighting country-led investments supported by the International Labour Organization. Albania’s Deputy Minister, Dr. Olta Manjani, presented the country’s achievements, demonstrating how integrated labour and social protection reforms are delivering inclusive growth and tangible results for citizens. Digital innovation and data-driven inclusion were also central themes. During a solutions session on inclusive digital economies, Albania demonstrated how farmers are being supported through improved access to data, digital tools, and a newly established Farmers’ Portal, enabling more efficient and sustainable agricultural practices. These initiatives form part of the Digital Agriculture and Rural Transformation (DART) flagship joint programme, which advances rural inclusion while harnessing innovation in support of the SDGs.At a Joint SDG Fund side event, Albania further highlighted its High Impact Track (HIT) programmes, which are strengthening social protection systems, advancing child rights, and promoting inclusion nationwide. In parallel, discussions on future skills and labour mobility, including an International Organization for Migration side event, showcased Albania’s integrated approach to skills development, lifelong learning, and migration governance. Initiatives such as the Youth Guarantee and cross-border skills recognition aim to ensure that young people, migrants, and vulnerable groups can access decent work and new opportunities. Throughout the summit, Ms. Macdonald also engaged with senior UN leadership, briefing on how country-level action in Albania is translating global commitments into tangible progress on equality, social protection, decent work, and digital inclusion. These exchanges reinforced the importance of strong partnerships, integrated policies, and evidence-based decision-making. As WSSD2 concluded, Albania’s contribution sent a clear message: meaningful social development requires collaboration, data, and innovation, anchored in national leadership and supported by multilateral cooperation. Together with UN partners, civil society, and development allies, Albania reaffirmed its commitment to advancing inclusive and sustainable social development, ensuring that no one is left behind.