Europe House Welcomes Refugees on World Refugee Day

On World Refugee Day, Europe House in Tirana, together with Albania’s Ministry of Interior and UNHCR, hosted refugees, government officials, diplomats, and NGO representatives, reinforcing Albania’s commitment to protecting and integrating asylum-seekers, upholding international obligations, and progressing toward EU integration.

Deputy Minister of Interior Andi Mahila reflected on Albania’s long-standing tradition of hospitality, from sheltering families during World War II to hosting nearly half a million Kosovars in 1999. Mahila emphasized how this legacy continues through the recently launched National Migration Strategy 2024–2030, aimed at creating "fair, transparent, and responsive" asylum processes. He noted critical advancements, including legislative updates developed alongside the EU and UNHCR, and improved facilities for asylum reception and processing.

EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato highlighted the significance of inclusion: “Today, Europe House opened its doors not only to highlight protection but to underscore that inclusion truly transforms lives. On this World Refugee Day, we stand alongside Albania, UNHCR, and the global community to honor the strength and resilience of individuals fleeing persecution, war, or violence.” Gonzato touched on the EU4Migration initiative, launched on 18 June 2025 in collaboration with IOM and UNHCR, aimed at aligning Albania's migration and asylum frameworks with EU and international standards through policy reform, technical aid, infrastructure improvements, and stakeholder collaboration.

Acting UN Resident Coordinator Michele Ribotta shared a poignant example: “Consider Nour, a Syrian mother of five who arrived here with only her children's schoolbooks. Within months, Nour found stability—housing, education for her children, and aspirations for a business. Her journey highlights the transformative impact of welcoming communities, showing how refugees can contribute profoundly when supported.”

UNHCR Representative Toshitsuki Kawauchi reinforced the human dimension of displacement, noting, “Behind every statistic is a person with hopes and dreams. With over 120 million people displaced globally, we must sustain our urgency and turn commitments into tangible protections. Every policy enacted, every service delivered, must reflect our shared responsibility, providing refugees with both safety and opportunities for hopeful, dignified futures.”

The event concluded with heartfelt cultural moments. A choir of refugee children delighted the audience with a performance of beloved Albanian songs. Guests joined in, creating an atmosphere of unity and shared joy.

Attendees also visited the "Together We Grow" exhibition, curated by art student Lorita Bujupi, whose parents had also sought refuge in Albania. Children's artworks depicted vibrant images of interconnected communities, shared spaces, and joyful homes, illustrations of welcoming societies filled with hope and ambition.

In 2024 alone, UNHCR and its partners registered 1,388 individuals arriving as part of mixed movements of refugees and migrants, with 6.5% referred by the Albanian authorities to asylum procedures. Guided by the Strategy for Engagement in Mixed Movements in the Western Balkans, UNHCR collaborates closely with government agencies, EU and UN bodies, civil society, and refugees themselves to ensure access to territory and quality asylum procedures, foster integration and self-reliance, reduce risk of statelessness, and achieve sustainable solutions for refugees and asylum-seekers.