Geneva, 11 June 2025

Statement of the Deputy Minister of Economy, Cultutre and Inovation Ms. Olta Manjani

Honorable President of 113 International Labour Conference,

Distinguished representatives of members states and delegates,

It is a privilege to address you on behalf of Albania, a nation deeply committed to advancing social justice and sustainable development, well on its path of immense progress towards EU integration by 2030.

Albania fully supports the ILO mandate and its principles, as fundamentals for promotion of social justice, decent work and protection of workers’ rights.

Let me express my appreciation for the Report of Director General and the adoption of the budget 2026-2027, which will enable the ILO to continue to fulfil its mandate, by identifying the efficiency measures and building a more effective Organization.

Honorable participants,

At the 352nd session of the ILO Governing Body in Geneva, November 2024, Albania was recognized as a candidate country actively supporting the Global Coalition for Social Justice. Albania’s engagement in this coalition reflects our commitment to promoting social justice values domestically and regionally, aligned with our European Union integration efforts. We have launched initiatives to improve working conditions, expand social protection, and support fair economic transitions.

Albania participates and is also a pathfinder country in the Global Accelerator for Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, launched by the UN Secretary-General in 2021. Our completed National Roadmap highlights inter-ministerial coordination and the active involvement of social partners and civil society in integrated programs, financing, and implementation.

Since January 2023, Albania has implemented the “Local Decent Work Program 2023-2026,” its sixth consecutive collaboration with the ILO and social partners. Fully aligned with the UN’s sustainable development framework, the program prioritizes:

• Effective labor protection through improved labor inspection efficiency.
• Inclusive, productive employment by enhancing decent employment policies.
• Strengthened social dialogue to promote cooperation in the labor market.

The National Employment and Skills Strategy 2023-2030 guides our policies to create quality jobs and lifelong learning opportunities. Complementing this, the Youth Guarantee Scheme was piloted in 2023-2025 across three regions, supporting young people under 29 outside the labor market by providing employment, education, and vocational training. Within four months, around 600 young people joined the workforce through this program.

Backed by the EU’s Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III), this scheme will expand nationwide from 2025 to 2027, supported further by cooperation with European partners through the Growth Plan.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In 2025, Albania approved the “Occupational Safety and Health Policy Document 2025-2030” and Action Plan. Developed with ILO expertise, these policies align with Albania’s National Strategy for Development and European Integration, the National Employment and Skills Strategy, the ILO’s Global Occupational Safety and Health Strategy, and the EU’s framework on occupational safety and health.

We would like to thank ILO for the implementation of SCORE programme in Albania, under the “Business Partnership and Solution for SDG project. This programme is expanding to many enterprises with the vision to ensure the sustainability of the results and empowering the local organizations to provide training, while the ILO ensures the quality

Albania has also introduced the MIRA Platform, an intelligent system employing artificial intelligence, data mining, and machine learning to support labor inspections. This platform enhances risk-based inspections, ensures objective decisions, and improves enforcement by suggesting administrative measures based on legislative criteria.

Social dialogue is central to Albania’s labor market governance. In April 2024, we hosted the inaugural meeting of the Joint Consultative Committee with the European Economic and Social Committee. This body supports the Stabilization and Association Council by facilitating dialogue relevant to Albania’s EU accession process and strengthens cooperation among social partners and civil society.

Addressing social protection, Albania has launched pension reforms with World Bank assistance, outlined in the “Policy Document on Ageing and Action Plan 2025-2030.”

Dear delegates,

Albania commends the adaption of the resolution Second World Summit for Social Development, to be held in Doha in November 2025, aiming collective ambition towards expansion of universal access to social protection using the richness of the tripartite dialogue as a basis.

In conclusion, Albania’s comprehensive approach—from international coalitions to national strategies and innovative tools—reflects our unwavering dedication to social justice, decent work, and sustainable development.

We are committed to partnering with the ILO, UN, EU, and social partners to build a just and prosperous future for all.