General Statement by Albania at the 219th session of UNESCO’s
Executive Board
Delivered by Ambassador Besiana Kadare, Permanent Delegate of Albania to UNESCO, Representative of Albania to the Executive Board

Madam Chairperson of the Executive Board,
Madam President of the General Conference,
Madam Director-General, dear colleagues,
Albania fully aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the European Union (EU) and I would like to add the following remarks.
As the world changes rapidly, the existential challenges we currently face are connected by a common thread: the imperative for peace, both among ourselves and with our planet. As the United Nations Secretary-General stated, “peace is the tie that binds”. Albania remains convinced that UNESCO plays a pivotal role in fostering peace by highlighting the role of education as a fundamental pillar for peace and security, by revitalizing culture as a unifying force, by ensuring freedom of the press and the safety of journalists and by strengthening the role of scientific cooperation in diplomacy and peacebuilding.
As we approach the Summit of the Future, it is important that UNESCO be actively involved in the process of the Summit so it can promote the importance of recognizing the unique transformative impact of education across all pillars of A Pact for the Future, establishing culture as a global public good, emphasizing the centrality of the sciences and their indispensable role in policy making and strengthening global digital cooperation, among other things. Drawing upon Albania’s long-standing support for UNESCO’s mission, our delegation has maintained close communication with our capital and our Mission to the United Nations to advocate for these pivotal points during the negotiations on A Pact for the Future. UNESCO also has an important role to play regarding the peace and security pillar.
We are pleased to note that, since the adoption of United Nations Security Council resolution (2021), the Organization has strengthened its programme on education in emergencies (EiE). The important work carried out, notably in Ukraine, proves that the Organization rightfully has a place in the field as part of the United Nations’ efforts in crisis situations. Its role is also crucial for the protection of cultural heritage, which is systematically targeted in almost any conflict.
Albania commends UNESCO’s work as a valuable resource and the Organization itself as a worthy partner for Member States in navigating the great opportunities and challenges posed by the development of artificial intelligence (AI). UNESCO’s initiatives aiming to foster an enabling environment for AI innovations while safeguarding human rights, diversity and cultural heritage, as well as addressing the ethical challenges related to its governance, are vital amidst the growing influence of AI in our societies.
Albania will continue to support UNESCO’s efforts to advance gender equality by promoting women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), combating gender-based violence and empowering women’s leadership. Through its transformative approach to gender equality, UNESCO is playing an important role in building a more inclusive and equitable society, where women and girls can fully realize their rights and potential.
Albania supports UNESCO’s latest programme on the promotion of scientific freedom and the safety of scientific researchers, and its related call to action, which will contribute to ensuring that scientists at risk can continue their vital work in a safe environment. The programme should also contribute to building more trust in science and strengthening the science-policy nexus, which is crucial in today’s world.
Regarding the C/5 Implementation Report, Albania welcomes the improvement in UNESCO’s reporting practices, aimed at providing Member States with a clearer grasp of the Organization’s impact. The alignment of the results narrative with UNESCO’s Strategic Objectives facilitates a more holistic assessment of long-term impact, while evaluating the progress of programme implementation. We are looking forward to an outcomeoriented new reporting system with better integrated responses, which should provide better evidence of UNESCO’s unique contributions and strategic relevance.
Albania stands ready to collaborate with Board Members and the Secretariat in preparing the next quadrennial programme and budget. It should introduce important and necessary changes in the way the Organization operates such as making the C/5 document more outcome-oriented and adopting a four-year reporting framework. These changes would allow Member States to better evaluate the Organization’s real impact on the ground.
With regard to the Organization’s financial management challenges, the Member States and Secretariat should work together in full transparency in order to identify ways to improve risk management and expenditure control mechanisms, based on lessons learnt.
In concluding, Madam Chairperson, I would like to emphasize that, as a newly elected Member of the Executive Board, Albania is committed to playing an active role to ensure good governance, transparency and accountability in the Organization. Together, we must focus on effectively leveraging the expertise and resources of UNESCO, whose end goal is to make a real and positive difference in people’s lives.