Mr. President,

Albania thanks the Special Rapporteur for her presentation and for providing in her report a comprehensive analysis of challenges as well as good practices concerning child and youth human rights defenders.

We thank the Special Rapporteur for including in her report as a best practice the decision of the Assembly of Albania to approve a resolution on the recognition and support of the activity of human rights defenders.

The development process of the Albanian National Youth Strategy and Action Plan was marked by an open and inclusive process of consultation with young people from every region and municipality in the country.

This process enabled the engagement of young people, representatives of youth organizations and other stakeholders that support and work with youth, to develop an accurate mapping of problems affecting young people and priorities to be addressed. The strategy aims to support all youth to develop their full potential, considering their rights, their voice, and their various needs.

In Albania, policies have been approved on the general criteria for the participation of children in consultative, and decision-making processes. Children are part of the National Council for Child Rights and Protection, sitting with the Ministers to coordinate and report on the situation of children.

The National Agenda for Child Rights 2021-2026 envisages the establishment of municipal child/adolescent councils as part of the ‘child-friendly municipality’ initiative.

To conclude, we welcome the recommendations in the report, and we express our commitment to working with the Special Rapporteur on this important issue.

Thank you.