In her speech at the conference, Minister Muzhaqi emphasized that in Albania, there are constant efforts made to fulfill the goals of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), as part of the commitments to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in the field of rights for equality and development of human capital.

Further on, Minister Muzhaqi gave a complete summary of Albania’s legal context regarding population and sustainable development.

“At a strategic level, Albania has a strong legal base that promotes equality, inclusiveness, access to services and a strong focus on digitization and the green agenda highlighted in the National Strategy for Development and Integration,” she underlined.

Muzhaqi continued with presentation of part of the intensive work done over the years to fulfill the objectives of sustainable development to improve and address issues related to population development and physical, social and mental well-being, among which she mentioned: the National Strategy for Youth 2022-2029, National Strategy for Health, Agenda for Children, Strategy for Social Care, Social Inclusion, Education, Gender Equality, as well as National Action Plans for Sexual and Reproductive Health, Older People and many others.

Regarding the National Youth Strategy and its drafting, Minister Muzhaqi stated that the youth policy should always include the youth as active and participating parties in the political dialogue, not only as observers.

Albania’s example of co-designing youth policy has shown that the most successful reforms are created with young people for young people, focusing on the three main goals of the Strategy that include empowerment, innovation and increasing the skills of young people, and their well-being.

In her speech, Muzhaqi also focused on gender equality and stereotypes, emphasizing “that as we work towards EU membership, a priority of the government is to offer citizens a better life” In accordance with the EU Strategy for Equality Gender 2020-2025″, Albania is addressing gender-based violence, gender stereotypes, harmful practices and inequalities in the labor market.”/p.s./

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Igli Hasani wrote in the social media announcing the news.

“This is another big achievement of the Albanian foreign policy & diplomacy; this is another demonstration of confidence by UN Member States for Albania’s role in international affairs. This time fully dedicated to defending and promoting Human Rights everywhere and for all”, Minister Hasani wrote in the social media.

Albania’s main objective, as a member of the Human Rights Council, will be to work within the Council and the United Nations system to guarantee universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all individuals without discrimination of anyone.

Our country will cooperate closely with other UN member states, representatives of civil society and all partners for implementation of these commitments.

The Council, which is charged with the responsibility to protect and advance human rights at the global level, consists of 47 member states elected by secret ballot by a majority of the members of the General Assembly./p.s./

Speaking to ABC News, Ambassador Kyslytsya said that, “The problem with the Security Council is that it does not have the necessary power to compel the aggressors”.

Kyslytsya praised Albania’s chair of the Security Council meeting.

“Your prime minister is a very strong person, not only in terms of appearance, but also the integrity of his position. Many of us enjoyed how he handled the debate with the shaking Nebenzya,” underlined Kyslytsya.

He said that, “Your prime minister should stay strictly within the framework of his role as president of the Security Council”.

Kyslysta further stated that, “It was the first time that Zelensky participated in the meeting of the Security Council personally. I think he positively assessed Albania’s dedication in dealing with the situation, but also many presidents and world leaders in this room”.

Kyslysta said that, “I am sure that Albania is doing a very good job. Albania’s strong point is that it is showing a high level of integrity and unwavering stance, and this is very important”.

“I think Albania is doing a pretty good job. The way Albania behaves in the Security Council, I’m sure it conveys strong messages to other countries inside and outside Europe”, he emphasized. /k.s/r.e/p.s./

Rama chaired yesterday at the UN headquarters in New York the High Level Open Debate on the topic “Respecting the goals and principles of the UN Charter through multilateralism: “Maintaining the peace and security of Ukraine”.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and 50 heads of state participated in the table.

“Yesterday’s moment that found wide coverage in the international media and became viral on social networks all over the world; a moment of pride for Albania doing its duty while the whole world was watching”, Rama wrote in the social media.

The video shows the Russian ambassador objecting to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaking in front of the representatives of member states.

But, PM Rama reacted saying to him: “You stop the war and President Zelensky will not deliver his speech.” /r.e/p.s./

Speaking about the challenges that cyber security has brought, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Olta Xhaçka, who co-chaired the meeting with the US Permanent Representative to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, emphasized that the Internet and technology are not and should not to be used as weapons, but that they should remain means for the common good.

“It is up to us to determine the path that technology should take. By identifying and condemning behavior contrary to state legal norms and encouraging positive action to improve the security and stability of cyberspace, the Security Council can reduce the risk of conflict arising from malicious actions. Albania reiterates its position in favor of a global cyber space, open, free, stable and safe, where international laws, human rights and fundamental freedoms are respected, for the benefit of social, political and economic development”, said the Albanian chief diplomat.

On her part, the US Permanent Representative to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield stated that international cyber security remains a global priority, as she underlined that the Security Council must take a leading role in raising awareness, punishing and holding accountable actors for cyber malicious activities.

“It is high time to turn goodwill into concrete actions. We look forward to working with all member states to realize our shared goal of an open, secure and sustainable cyberspace from which all of us will benefit,” she stated.

The Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the UN Office for Disarmament (UNODA) Izumi Nakamitsu stated that the principle of accountability is essential to address concerns over trust and distrust in cyberspace.

“The main task for member states is to consider how to implement the norms of responsible state behavior so that they become operational,” she added.

The ‘Arria Formula’ meeting on the theme “Responsibility and response of states to cyber attacks” was co-chaired by Albania and the United States.

The meeting essentially dealt with cyber security, as a key issue in the Security Council’s responsibility for maintaining international peace and security./gj.m/p.s./

“Together with the Arjeta family, she founded the TIMAK Company in 2016, producing so far over 150 ambulances for Albanian hospitals as well as for neighboring countries such as North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Turkey, etc.,” said Rama in a post on social networks, where he posted moments from the meeting with the young entrepreneur.

When it comes to emergency services, every second counts. This is why it is essential for healthcare providers to have high quality ambulances and TIMAK is a manufacturing company specializing in ambulances.

One of the biggest challenges facing healthcare providers is the long waiting time for ambulance delivery.

The TIMAK enterprise has perfected the work process to produce ambulances quickly, without sacrificing quality. This means that healthcare providers can get the ambulances they need at the right time, allowing them to better serve their communities. /r.e/p.s./

The diplomatic mission of Albania in the United Nations has reacted on Twitter, emphasizing that it has left after Maria Lvova-Belova, accused by the International Criminal Court of The Hague, took the floor.

Belova is a Commissioner in the Office for Children’s Rights in Russia, and the boycotted meeting focused on the evacuation of Ukrainian children from Ukraine to Russia.

“Albania participated at Russia’s Arria-formula mtg on “evacuating” Ukrainian children from Ukraine to Russia, but walked out of the room when Maria Lvova-Belova, indicted by the International Criminal Court was given the floor, to show its opposition & rejection for this cynical provocation. Belova is under arrest warrant by the ICC, accused for unlawful deportation & transfer of children. Rather than lecture UNSC about the situation of children in Ukraine, she should present herself at a court of law to answer the very serious accusations brought against her”, reads a Twitter post of the Albanian mission at the UNO. /p.s./

In his reaction on social media, the prime minister raises the question whether the use of terms with the names of capitals, and not states, is a serious mistake or a lapse.

Rama also emphasized that its official name is ‘The Agreement on the Path to Normalization between Kosovo and Serbia’.

‘Belgrade and Pristina’?! A serious mistake or a lapse? The official name of it is ‘The Agreement on the Path to Normalization between Kosovo and Serbia’, and it would be unacceptable if the SG did not use this proper name deliberately. Please provide clarification promptly”, wrote Rama on Twitter./p.s./

Minister Xhaçka said that, “A full year has passed since the beginning of the Russian aggression in Ukraine and the world continues to be united in condemning this unjust war, suffering, crimes and atrocities caused, as well as in the unanimous call to Russia to put an end to this nonsense. The UN General Assembly confirmed with an overwhelming majority of 141 votes a resolution – co-sponsored by Albania, for a just peace, based on international law and the Charter of the United Nations”.

During the two-day stay in New York, in addition to participating in the commemorative meetings on Ukraine, Xhaçka met with her counterparts of Italy, Croatia, Estonia, Spain, Hungary, North Macedonia and Ukraine to discuss current international issues related to European security, on the need to find ways and mechanisms to impose accountability, but also on the progress of the negotiation process for membership in the European Union as well as specific bilateral issues. /k.s/p.s./

“143 countries reject the illegal Russian annexation of Ukrainian territory”, said Xhaçka in a reaction on social media.

“It is now clear to everyone that fake referendums cannot hide the illegality of land grabbing by Russia”, Xhaçka emphasized.

“The world will not accept such a flagrant violation of international law”, added Xhaçka.

The UN General Assembly passed a resolution condemning Russia’s illegal annexation of four Ukrainian regions. 143 countries voted for the resolution, 5 against and 35 abstained./p.s./