Youth Voices Shaping the Future: United Nations Resident Coordinator Meets UN Youth Advisory Group in Albania

This message was central to a meeting between the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Albania, Ms. Ingrid Macdonald, and members of the United Nations Youth Advisory Group (UNYAG), held at the UN premises in Tirana on 12 January 2025.

The exchange served to strengthen dialogue, collaboration, and commitments to shared action, with a strong focus on the active and meaningful involvement of young people in UN processes and programmes. Central to the discussion was the development of the new Albania–UN Cooperation Framework for Sustainable Development 2027–2031, and the critical need for youth voices to inform the priorities, design, and implementation.

In her remarks, Resident Coordinator Macdonald emphasized that sustainable development requires integrating the perspectives of young people, as well as working side by side with them. 

“For our next Cooperation Framework to truly reflect Albania’s future, young people must be actively engaged throughout the consultation and design process – as active partners and leaders,” she noted.

UNYAG members shared their backgrounds, motivations, and areas of interest, highlighting the diverse perspectives and experiences they bring to the table. Facilitated by the UN Youth Delegates, the roundtable allowed members to reflect on their ongoing work and how their engagement can contribute to UN priorities, particularly in the context of policy dialogue and national consultations.

The meeting concluded with closing reflections from the UN Resident Coordinator and a group photo, symbolizing a shared commitment to partnership, inclusion, and youth-driven impact.

As Albania looks ahead to the next phase of UN–country cooperation, the meeting reaffirmed a clear message: development solutions are stronger, more inclusive, and more sustainable when young people are actively involved in shaping them.