Statement by H.E. Mr. Igli HASANI
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania
Plenary Debate of the 42nd Session of the General Conference of UNESCO
Paris, 8 November 2023

 

Madam President of the General Conference
Madam Chairperson of the Executive Board ,
Madam Director General ,
Distinguished delegates,
Let me first congratulate you, Madam President, on your election as President of the General Conference. I wish you every success in your Presidency.
At this important session of the General Conference of UNESCO, I want to emphasize that Albania strongly supports UNESCO. We believe in multilateralism, we believe in international law and Human Rights, and we also believe in the need for urgent Climate Action. These are all reasons why UNESCO, as a frontline player in multilateral cooperation, capacity building, and innovation, deserves the support of us all.
In today’s fragmented world, , Albania is convinced that active and reinvigorated multilateralism is the only way forward. In this context, we are delighted to welcome the return of the United States of America in UNESCO. This is an important moment that reinforces the universality of UNESCO and strengthens its initiatives and programs throughout the world.
Albania welcomes the 42 C/5 and its strong commitment to further operationalize our Global Priorities, with increased share of allocation for Global Priority Africa and Gender Equality. This will accelerate SDGs implementation and allow UNESCO to foster real change on the ground.
UNESCO has a lot to contribute in our efforts to reverse the global backlash against women’s rights. It is imperative to systematically prioritize gender equality, with a concrete transformative approach, policy actions and proper resources.
On the priority Group SIDS, we call for reinforced coordination of UNESCO’s action, including monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the Operational Strategy for SIDS. It is our duty to take concrete action and assist, without delay, the most vulnerable states in the world.
Climate action and science-based global ocean action should remain high on our common agenda. We commend UNESCO’s work in protecting our biosphere reserves, our natural world heritage sites and global geoparks, thus contributing to the global goal of protecting the Earth’s surface.
Albania will continue to be a vocal advocate for freedom of expression, access to information, media freedom and the safety of journalists. Support for professional and reliable journalism is particularly important nowadays, when widespread disinformation and fake news are threatening the very foundations of our societies and democracies.
We also commend Unesco’s role in upholding, promoting, and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, which lie at the core of its mandate. As a newly-elected member of the UN Human Rights Council for the period 2024-2026, Albania remains strongly committed to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide..
The role of UNESCO is of strategic importance in a world where innovations in technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are occurring at speeds faster than ever witnessed before. Institutional capacities should be strengthened for harnessing the benefits of artificial intelligence in all areas of UNESCO’s competence, while addressing the ethical challenges.
Education is a fundamental human right, which should be accessible to everyone. Education has the power to change our societies and prevent future inequalities.
However, we remain concerned about the progress on SDG 4, which is critically off track. Despite progress made, more needs to be done to tackle the global crisis in education by investing more equitably and more efficiently.
Albania fully supports UNESCO’s emergency assistance to Ukraine, where Russia’s unprovoked and illegal war of aggression continues to cause horrific human suffering and destruction. We commend the tireless efforts by the Secretariat and the UNESCO Kyiv desk to provide support for relief and recovery, across its mandate.
Albania deplores the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, where women and girls are deprived of their right to education and we call on the Secretariat to continue its actions to support all Afghans, in its fields of competences.
We also commend UNESCO’s important action in Iraq, Yemen and Libya.
Dear colleagues,
UNESCO and its multilateralism of action is one of the most effective instruments in building peace. This is why we need an effective and credible Organization, fit for purpose, that has a true impact on people’s lives on the ground.
It is with this conviction that Albania has put forward its candidature to the Executive Board, in the upcoming elections. If elected, we are determined to play an active role in ensuring good governance, transparency and accountability of the Organization. Albania will take a constructive approach, aiming to strengthen inclusive cooperation and the spirit of consensus within UNESCO.
We would be grateful if you decide to trust us with this important responsibility.