The event brought together representatives of Albania’s main religious communities in prayers and blessings for peace, understanding and prosperity for Albanians worldwide.

Prime Minister Edi Rama also attended the event.

Among those offering prayers and reflections were imam Rifat Halili, head of the Albanian Islamic Center in New York and New Jersey; Edmond Brahimaj, the World Leader of the Bektashi Order; Bishop Nikodhim Preston of the Albanian Archdiocese in Boston; Kastriot Idrizi from Brussels; and Erjon Sylari.

Halili, the main speaker, highlighted the importance of preserving and strengthening interfaith harmony as a defining Albanian value, particularly within diaspora communities.

In a calm and inclusive atmosphere, participants delivered messages of peace, unity and hope, culminating in a symbolic blessing of the national flag. The ceremony underscored Albania’s long-standing tradition of religious coexistence and tolerance.

The “Brotherhood Morning” event took place as part of the session titled “The Heritage of the Sacred”, which in the Albanian context refers to the spiritual and material legacy linked to faith, martyrdom and places of worship that have shaped national identity.

Organisers said the gathering formed an important moment of interfaith dialogue and mutual respect, emphasising spiritual heritage as a foundation for the country’s future and calling for greater unity and shared purpose.

The fourth Diaspora Summit continues under the motto “Through roots we rise”, bringing together representatives of the Albanian diaspora from around the world. The programme continues with further sessions throughout the day.

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A highlight of the event was the “Golden Eagles” awards, which honoured members of the Albanian diaspora for distinguished contributions across business, science, the arts and community engagement, underscoring the diaspora’s role as an informal ambassador for Albania.

Among those taking the stage was former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, who addressed the audience wearing a plis, the traditional Albanian woollen cap traditional Albanian plis.

Prime Minister Edi Rama on Wednesday shared a video montage from what he described as an emotional evening celebrating the Albanian diaspora.

The fourth edition of the Diaspora Summit reaffirmed the enduring ties of Albanians living abroad to their country of origin and their willingness to contribute to its development. Organisers said the “Golden Eagles” awards aimed not only to recognise achievement but also to promote unity and national pride.

The event is expected to serve as a springboard for new cooperation initiatives and to further strengthen the diaspora’s role in Albania’s future.

Proceedings continue on Wednesday with the final session of the summit in Tirana, which has brought together Albanians from 38 countries.

The final day looks at how Albanians abroad can support economic growth and the country’s path to the European Union.

Talks cover investment, innovation, education and healthcare, as well as ways to protect language and identity.

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“Born in Mitrovica and raised in Sweden, I never forget my roots. I am proud to be Albanian,” Dibrani said in a message to compatriots, adding that he was unable to attend this year’s events due to engagements in Washington.

Dibrani said that throughout his political career in Stockholm and at the European Parliament he has consistently promoted Albanian identity, expressing hope to join the summit next year.

The Albanian capital is hosting the three-day Diaspora Summit from April 13 to 15 under the motto “Through our roots, we rise,” bringing together political leaders, institutional representatives, experts and members of the diaspora from around the world.

The event aims to strengthen ties with the diaspora and channel its potential into tangible contributions to Albania’s development, in line with the government’s “Albania 2030” strategy.

Proceedings are being held primarily at the Palace of Congresses, with a series of thematic panels focusing on the diaspora’s role in democracy and representation, its impact on economic development and innovation, and its contributions to healthcare, education and scientific research.

Discussions are also expected to address diaspora participation in electoral and institutional processes, boosting investment and knowledge exchange, and preserving national identity through language and culture.

Regional cooperation between Albania, Kosovo and Albanian communities across the region will also feature prominently, as part of efforts to develop a coordinated approach to diaspora engagement.

The summit is expected to reinforce the role of the diaspora as an active partner in Albania’s economic, social and institutional development.

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Hoxha met members of the Diaspora Coordination Council in what he described as an initial but substantive discussion, setting the stage for the fourth Diaspora Summit, which runs from Monday to Wednesday.

“We agreed to open a new phase in reorganising this vital mechanism, with clear objectives for better coordination of activities and a concrete annual agenda aligned with key priorities,” Hoxha said in a social media post.

He said the government’s “Albania 2030” vision places the diaspora at the centre of efforts to promote the Albanian language, support economic and social development, foster business partnerships and enhance the country’s cultural presence abroad.

“With distinguished professionals from across the world, we have a real opportunity to strengthen ties with our roots and turn the diaspora’s potential into tangible value for Albania,” he said.

Discussions at the summit are expected to focus on the diaspora’s role in democracy and representation, its impact on economic development and innovation, and its contribution to sectors such as healthcare, education and scientific research.

Participants will also address diaspora involvement in electoral and institutional processes, increasing investment and knowledge exchange, and preserving national identity through language and culture.

Regional cooperation, including coordination between Albania, Kosovo and Albanian communities in neighbouring countries, will also be on the agenda, as part of a broader effort to develop a unified approach to diaspora engagement.

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The event aims to strengthen cooperation between the Albanian diaspora and domestic institutions, while building strategic partnerships for the country’s long-term development.

According to the ministry, the summit represents the next step in the continuous engagement of the diaspora, providing a more structured and results-oriented platform for dialogue and collaboration.

“The summit will create an in-depth space for dialogue and cooperation, where the diaspora’s international experience will intersect with national development priorities. Special focus will be on ideas, projects and initiatives linking the economy, innovation, culture, technology, education and entrepreneurship with the vision for Albania 2030,” the ministry said.

Designed as a co-creation platform, the summit seeks to strengthen ties between the diaspora, central institutions and local actors, contributing to comprehensive policies, functional partnerships and sustainable international collaboration.

The 4th Diaspora Summit invites professionals, entrepreneurs, creatives and experts worldwide to share their experience and help build new bridges of cooperation.

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On the second day of the third Diaspora Summit, the government head that no country in the region, Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Montenegro can afford let this incredible potential untapped.

“The lack of a strategy to engage the Diaspora for 100 years is perhaps one of the worst mistakes committed by the policymakers here in Albania. Do you know who made the first attempt to draft a Diaspora strategy in 2000? It was not the Albanian state, but an individual called Mark Gjonaj. It would take for the Skanderbeg Year to come so that we could host the first ever Diaspora Summit that a strategy can be drafted and be later completed as an inclusive document on engaging and employing this tremendous potential that has still a lot to render to this country, should the country is capable of absorbing this power and potential,” PM Rama said.

The government head recalled that the process started off with the creation of the State Diaspora Committee, followed by the Diaspora Economic Chamber, common schools and curricula on which both Albania and Kosovo had agreed upon during their joint sessions and all these are part of the National Diaspora Strategy due to complete by 2025.

Rama noted that the strategy should be reviewed in 2025 and adapted to meet all the needs and aspects for the process to move forward quickly and smoothly.

“The document envisages dozens of measures, whose implementation would require continued institutional interactions at all state levels, as well as interaction with Albanians in Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia, because at this point it is crucial for it to work as a mechanism with various parts, but carrying out the same function,” Rama said.

“I agree with President and acknowledge that no other country around world owes more to its Diaspora than Albania. No country in the region, Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Montenegro can afford let this incredible potential untapped,” he said.

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In his remarks at the event, PM Rama said that it was an honour for him “to address the closest descendants, the heirs of Skanderbeg on the Arberesh Day, exclusive part of the third Diaspora Summit.

“In the turn of 1466, Gjergj Kastriot, together with a retinue of knights, travelled to the Italian soil for the last time. Chroniclers recount that upon landing in Ancona in the turn of the year, Gjergj Kastrioti held a prayer for Arbëria in Saint Michael the Archangel church. He spent Christmas in Rome together with Pope Paul II, who offered him to stay in the luxurious apartments of St. Marco’s Basilica, but he chose to stay with a friend of Arbers, right where the building of the Presidency of Italy is located today,” Rama said.

Rama noted that in addition to protocol ceremonies and occasional gifts, the chronicles of the time also show how Gjergj Kastrioti of the Albanians had attracted curiosity everywhere, not only because of the fame, the courage and triumphs on the battlefield, but also about the unusual language and unknown customs of his people.

The Premier said that while in office he has been visiting many countries and various attractive, impressive and beautiful cultures around the world, but the emotional overwhelm he had experienced during visit to southern Italy’s Arberesh community is “preserved on a special shelf of memory, like those old books of wonderful miniatures.”

He said that it was exactly his visit to Arberesh communities when the idea about this special Arberesh Day was conceived.

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Addressing the Diaspora Summit in Tirana on Wednesday, the head of state appealed for immediate actions and historic responsibility as any inaction would affect the future generations.

He put emphasis on the need to preserve and cultivate Arberesh language as an Albanian identity matter.

The head of state emphasized the importance of a comprehensive platform for concrete projects that would contribute to strengthening the national identity, preserving and passing on our cultural heritage to the future generations.

He also welcomed establishment of the Center for Arberesh Studies and Publications and appealed for mechanisms that create conditions that would help in expanding Albanian studies.

President Begaj praised initiatives to include Arberesh language in school curriculum, on Rai Kalabria programs and the initiative by the Albanian Radio and Television to launch a dedicated TV channel for the Diaspora.

The Arbëreshë are an ethnic and linguistic Albanian minority community living in southern Italy, especially the regions of Apulia, Basilicata, Molise, Calabria and Sicily. They are the descendants of the Albanian refugees who fled Albania between the 15th and 18th centuries as a result of the Ottoman Empire’s invasion of the Balkans.

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