United Nations Day Celebrated with Vibrant Events in Tirana

United Nations Day was celebrated in Tirana on Thursday with a series of vibrant events, culminating in a significant gathering at the iconic Pyramid of Tirana. This year's celebrations were part of the country's International Cultural Weeks, emphasizing the importance of global unity and cultural diversity.

The High-Level Commemoration event commenced with a special reception, bringing together representatives from UN Albania, the Albanian government, the diplomatic corps, civil society organizations, and business partners. The audience was addressed by UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Fiona McCluney, Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ms. Megi Fino, and Deputy Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation Ms. Lira Pipa.

Moderated by Albania’s Youth Delegates to the UN, the event highlighted the vital role of youth in shaping the future and focused on the recently adopted Pact for the Future. This Pact underscores a collective commitment among nations to address global challenges and reform multilateral systems to meet the demands of the 21st century.

During the UN Day 2024 commemoration, UN Resident Coordinator Fiona McCluney emphasized the enduring significance of the UN Charter, which aims to foster peace, justice, and equality, especially for women and girls. She highlighted recent achievements from the Summit of the Future, including the adoption of the Pact for the Future, focusing on nuclear disarmament, improved measures of human progress, and reform of intergovernmental organizations. McCluney praised Albania's progress toward EU accession and the Sustainable Development Goals, detailing UN Albania's contributions. Then she provided a summary of results achieved by the UN system in Albania in cooperation with Albanian Government and development partners. She reaffirmed the UN's commitment to partnering with Albania for a more equitable and sustainable future. Read full speech here.

In her remarks, Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ms. Megi Fino emphasized the vital role of the United Nations in addressing contemporary challenges such as climate change and social inequalities. She highlighted Albania's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and its alignment with the 2030 Agenda, reaffirming the nation's dedication to peace, security, and sustainable development as part of its European integration efforts. Fino noted Albania's active participation in international forums, including the UN General Assembly, and its contributions to the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda. She expressed gratitude for the collaboration with UN agencies and called for a collective effort toward a secure and just future.

Deputy Minister of Economy, Culture and innovation, Ms. Lira Pipa, in her speech, emphasized the significance of global cooperation and solidarity, particularly highlighting the contributions of UN agencies in Albania in supporting various sectors, including women's empowerment, children's welfare, and cultural development. She reiterated Albania's commitment to its global responsibilities, focusing on objectives such as human capital development, sustainable economic growth, and effective governance.

Following the commemoration, an inspiring concert titled "Sounds of Unity" was held to celebrate the unifying power of music on United Nations Day. The concert showcased a vibrant mix of talent and community spirit, including the participation of artists with disabilities, and featured diverse musical styles such as Jazz, Pop, Gospel, and traditional Albanian music. 

Directed by Suzana Turku, this event emphasized the importance of artistic education and the role of music in fostering connections among people. The success of this celebration was made possible by the participation of numerous individuals and organizations committed to promoting unity and cultural appreciation.

A variety of engaging activities were organized around UN Day by different UN agencies to celebrate the organization's mission and acknowledge the dedicated work of its staff. Events included informative panel discussions highlighting the UN's contributions to global peace and development, cultural performances showcasing the diversity of member nations, and community outreach initiatives aimed at fostering collaboration and awareness. Additionally, recognition ceremonies honored staff members for their commitment and impactful contributions, reinforcing the importance of teamwork in advancing the UN’s goals. These activities not only celebrated the achievements of the past but also inspired a collective commitment to future challenges.

United Nations Day is observed annually on October 24, commemorating the adoption of the UN Charter in 1945 by world leaders in San Francisco. This pivotal moment laid the foundation for the United Nations, which aims to promote international cooperation and prevent conflicts in the wake of World War II. With 193 member states today, the UN fosters diverse perspectives and collective decision-making to address pressing global challenges.