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Following a week of inspiring events marking United Nations Day 2025 in Albania, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the UN team, partners, and friends who helped make these celebrations so meaningful. Together, we truly embodied the spirit of Delivering as One.The celebrations were especially significant as the world marks the 80-year anniversary of the United Nations and Albania celebrates 70 years as a member state of the UN  — milestones that remind us of the importance of our shared humanity and commitment to peace, partnership, and progress.UN DAY RECEPTION (Read full story here)On 24 October, hosted by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs in Albania, we gathered together with the government, diplomatic core and key stakeholders to reflect on the continued importance of multilateralism, dialogue and peace.  The event opened with a video message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, reminding us that today’s global challenges — from climate change to conflict and inequality — can only be solved through unity and collective action. His call to “stand together to fulfill the extraordinary promise of the United Nations” set a powerful tone for the evening. Following the message, I was pleased to address the audience alongside Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Vilma Premti and Youth Delegate Alesia Dodaj. Together, we highlighted our importance of building a more peaceful, sustainable, and inclusive world.   The sight of UN and Albanian flags lining Tirana’s main boulevard was also a moving symbol of partnership and solidarity — admired by thousands across the capital. 🎶 “BETTER TOGETHER” – CONCERT FOR PEACE AND SOLIDARITYThat evening, UN Albania, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, hosted the concert Better Together — an artistic tribute to the mission and ideals of the YN Charter. As part of Tirana’s International Cultural Weeks, the event featured Albanian and international artists who celebrated the values and principles set out in the UN Charter - through music, poetry, and spoken word.     On behalf of the UN team in Albania, my sincere thanks to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports for their collaboration and support in making this celebration possible. The energy, creativity, and sense of unity in the room truly reflected the best of our collective spirit — and reminded us that we are, indeed, better together. 🎓 INVESTING IN ALBANIA’S FUTURE – HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCEOn the morning of UN Day, hosted by the College of Europe Tirana campus, together with the EU Delegation and the World Bank, we convened academia, policymakers, and development partners to explore how education, skills, and knowledge can drive Albania’s sustainable development and EU path.As I shared during the event: “Investing in people is at the heart of Albania’s sustainable development and European future. Academia is key to this journey — for evidence, data, knowledge, and skills.” My thanks also to UNICEF Albania for leading this effort on behalf of the UN team.      Read the full story on this conference here.💬 READ OUR JOINT OP-ED WITH EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato and World Bank Representative Massimiliano Paolucci on why Albania’s strength lies in its people:🔗 [Read in English]🔗 [Lexoni në shqip] 💜 SWEDEN–UN PARTNERSHIP TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (EVAW II)Just ahead of UN Day, we were also proud to renew our partnership with the Embassy of Sweden and the Government of Albania to extend the UN Joint Programme to End Violence Against Women until 2027.This extension reaffirms our shared commitment for ensuring that every woman and girl in Albania can live free from violence and discrimination.Led by UN Women, with UNDP and UNFPA, and supported by SIDA, the programme continues to strengthen prevention, protection, legal reform, and social norm transformation — a clear example of our whole-of-society approach in action. (Read the full story here)🌍 LOOKING AHEAD – WORLD SOCIAL SUMMIT 2025, DOHANext week, I will travel to Doha for the World Social Summit 2025, joining a high-level delegation from Albania led by President Bajram Begaj, Minister of Health and Social Welfare Evis Salla, Deputy Minister of Economy and Innovation Olta Manjani, and Albania’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Suela Janina.It is such an exciting moment for Albania to be among the pathfinder countries for social protection, especially as the nation advances on its EU accession journey. We look forward to sharing Albania’s experience and deepening partnerships to build a more inclusive and equitable future for all.Read more about the Doha Social Summit. ***As we close this memorable week, I want to express my deep gratitude to all who contributed — colleagues across the UN Country Team, government, partners, academia, artists, and friends. Your dedication and teamwork continue to strengthen our partnership for a fairer, greener, and more inclusive future.