The United Nations Week in Albania

Full Programme is here, or follow social media hashtag: #UNWeekAlbania2022 

This year UN Albania teamed up with the Government of Albania to maximize the visibility of the traditional UN Day and run the first ever United Nations Week in Albania between 24 and 30 October 2022. 

The key objectives of the UN Week 2022 were to: promote the UN values and the UN system at large; highlight the prominent role of Albania in the UN especially through the Security Council; raise awareness and incite action on the SDGs and Decade of Action for Agenda 2030; and showcase the work of UN and development stakeholders to deliver results. The UN week in Albania started in Tirana and was followed with a tour in Pukë, Permet and Durres. 

Thanks to the Ministry of Culture the series of events of the UN Week 2020 were widely communicated to the general public via outdoor communications and social media channels. 

The week started with a joint message on social media channels by Albania's Minister For Europe and Foreign Affairs HE Ms Olta Xhaçka and the UN Resident Coordinator in Albania Ms Fiona McCluney.

On 24th October 2022, Skanderbeg Square -  the main square of Tirana was filled with activities which kicked off the United Nations Week. The official kick off of the week was the  a ceremony for launching of the massive 'We The Peoples' exhibition - named to symbolize the founding document of the UN - the UN Charter which preambula starts with '#WeThe People.' To add a further special effect, the photographs of “We the Peoples” exhibition were set up in a form of a installation of “UN” letters.    

On 24th October 2022, the main streets and boulevards of Tirana were filled with the United Nations flag, to announce the commencement of the United Nations Week in Albania.

As the activities continued, the flags assisted the walkers and by standers to approach the “Rhythm that Unites” concert in the Europa Park, where people of all ages gathered to celebrate the UN Week in Albania.

The 'Rhythm That Unites concert featured an SDG moment for launching the  #Play4SDGs mobile quiz by Vodafone Albania. For more info on the #Play4SDGs click here.

Tuesday 25 October: SDG Themed day in Tirana

On Tuesday the activities continued in Tirana, where different age groups participated. The #Youth4Health international conference, the “Untold Stories” project and “Food and Agriculture for Youth” were some of the activities, where the youth together with public officials and representatives of the United Nations participated. While the activities continued, “We the Peoples” exhibition was moved to 'Sheshi Italia" square in Tirana where it remained until the end of the UN Week.

Wednesday 26 October: United Nations in Pukë

Different activities such as the UN Fair, the Local Produce Fair, a mural by UNFPA, a selection of “We the Peoples” exhibition, a visit in a community center as part of the “Leave No One Behind” programme and a discussion with focus on migration, were conducted during the day. The main square of Puka was decorated with the SDGs flags, the flags of the Agencies present and other visibility materials, which were shared with the local people. To conclude, the “Rhythm that Unites” concert brought people of all ages together in the main square of the city to celebrate unity.These activities brought to the attention of the local citizens, the work that the United Nations in Albania conducts and how it helps the improvement of the living conditions of each city.

Thursday 27 October: United Nations in Përmet

On Thursday the United Nations Week visited Permet. A day full of activities such as the UN Fair, a selection of “We the Peoples” exhibition, a meeting with the local private sector as part of the “Business Partnerships & Solutions 4 the SDGs”, a visit in a multifunctional community center as part of the “Leave No One Behind” programme were part of the day. The main square of Permet was decorated with the SDGs flags, the flags of the Agencies present and other visibility materials, which were shared with the local people. In the evening, the “Rhythm that Unites” concert brought people of all ages together in the main square of the city to celebrate unity.

Friday 28 October: United Nations in Durrës

On Friday, as the last day of the United Nations Week, the UN Family visited Durres.  During the day, activities such as the UN Fair, the Local Produce Fair, a selection of “We the Peoples” exhibition, a meeting with international partners on safe migration, workshops on cultural heritage, an art exhibition from young people, a visit at the Venetian Tower, a self-defense session, the screening of a movie, a photography exhibition  The main square of Durres and not only was decorated with the SDGs flags, but the flags of the Agencies also present and other visibility materials, which were shared with the local people.  To conclude, the “Rhythm that Unites” concert brought people of all ages together in the main square of the city to celebrate unity.