Albania, Switzerland and the UN Highlight Country-Level Impact of UN Reform and UN80 Priorities

The event brought together Ambassadors of the diplomatic corps in Albania and senior government representatives for an exchange focused on how UN reform leads to concrete improvements at country level. Albania was highlighted as a practical example of how a more coordinated and focused UN system can better respond to national priorities and deliver stronger results.

In her opening remarks, Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Albana Koçiu emphasized Albania’s long-standing partnership with the United Nations and the importance of effective coordination at country level. She noted that “the standards promoted through the UN80 process, namely: stronger institutions, better governance, inclusion, resilience, human rights,  are the same standards that guide our European integration path”. 

She underlined that “Albania’s experience demonstrates the value of coordinated UN support. Integrated, pooled approaches have proven far more effective than isolated interventions, a lesson that resonates across public policy and is directly relevant to ongoing discussions on UN reform”

Presenting “The UN at Country Level – A Practical Guide,” H.E. Ruth Huber, Ambassador of Switzerland to Albania, highlighted the value of the publication as a practical resource for diplomats and international cooperation teams.

“Switzerland is a solid supporter of multilateralism in general, and UN in particular. As part of this support, our foreign ministry has produced this handbook that explains how the United Nations actually works ‘on the ground’. Its usefulness lies in demystifying how the UN works in the field. Not only the general public but also diplomats, government officials, development professionals and the media, will learn clearly how the UN is organized and how it delivers its development and humanitarian work”, said the Swiss Ambassador. 

In her presentation on UN80, Dr. Ingrid Macdonald, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Albania, highlighted how system‑wide reforms are being translated into concrete change across the country:

“In Albania, the United Nations team is streamlining our way of working, prioritizing areas where UN expertise adds the greatest value, and delivering more integrated, results‑focused support in close partnership with the Government.”

She further noted that “the new Albania–UN Cooperation Framework 2027–2031 provides a clear and focused roadmap prioritizing three strategic pillars: Inclusive Human Capital Development; Sustainable Economic Transformation; and Governance, Justice and Human Rights. Through this joint UN-Government framework, the UN is committing to deliver more focused, coherent and higher‑impact solutions as a genuine partner in Albania’s development and EU reform journey.”

H.E. Silvio Gonzato, Ambassador of the European Union to Albania noted: “The European Union remains steadfast in its commitment to support multilateralism and to the international rules-based order, with the United Nations at its core. Supporting the United Nations is an act of strategic necessity. We must reaffirm not only our commitment to the United Nations, but also the principles that inspired its creation: peace, cooperation, solidarity, and human rights”. 

Participants welcomed the Practical Guide as a useful resource at a time when there is growing demand for more effective international cooperation. Discussions highlighted that UN reform matters most when it improves how support is delivered in practice — through simpler ways of working, clearer priorities, and better coordination — with Albania offering a strong example of this in action.

The meeting closed with a clear, forward-looking message: stronger country-led cooperation, sharper priorities, and more joined-up support are key to delivering real results for people in Albania.

To learn more or to order a copy of “The UN at Country Level – A Practical Guide,” visit: www.understandingtheun.org 

For more information on the UN80 Initiative, please visit: https://www.un.org/un80-initiative/en