Addressing the Tirana Urban Forum: Leadership for Liveable Cities, Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj emphasized importance of the cities as centres of economic and social development in 21^st century.

Mayor Veliaj underlined that Tirana puts children’s and families’ well-being at the center of urban transformation policies.

“We focus on children, because they are the future,” Veliaj said, adding that now Tirana is a more open, more vibrant, dynamic and welcoming city.

“I grew up in this city, when it had a population of 200 000 citizens only and they were all Albanians. Now Tirana welcomes thousands of foreign tourists each month. Countries may change and the cities may change from a completely secluded and isolated country under a regime that destroyed everything to an open country that welcomes visitors and friends from all over the world,” Tirana Mayor said.

In his remarks Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu praised his Tirana counterpart for his leadership and hospitality, describing Tirana as an example of regional cooperation.

“I am delighted to be here today as we conclude Tiranas’ successful presidency of the B40Cities Network. Under the leadership of Mayor Erion Veliaj, who took over the network in early 2024, B-40 cities network has become a shining example of cooperation in the Balkans and a wider region,” he said.

Mayors and local government representatives of the cities across the region shared their experience, urban development challenges and innovations. The marks a milestone achievement for Tirana, which held presidency of the B-40 network throughout 2024, showing that regional cooperation is key to the sustainable future of Balkan cities. The forum is also a landmark event in regional urban development.

/u.sh/