Distinguished guests, colleagues, and partners,

The 2019 earthquake marked a defining moment for Albania. It reminded us that disasters do not affect all citizens equally. While seismic waves follow the laws of physics, their impact follows the contours of social inequality.

As we align our national systems with the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, our direction is clear: we are transitioning from a reactive emergency response approach to an anticipatory, data-driven resilience model. Today, our most effective protection against future earthquakes is not only infrastructure, but also demographic intelligence.

We are integrating seismic risk data with detailed population vulnerability insights to transform our social protection system. This is both a strategic necessity and a moral obligation.
Through geospatial analysis, we move beyond broad averages to identify concentrated pockets of vulnerability, including the elderly living alone, persons with disabilities, and those in informal settlements. When combined with seismic micro-zonation data, this allows us to anticipate which communities are most at risk before a disaster strikes.

We are developing systems where assistance is no longer delayed by administrative procedures. With pre-verified demographic data, we can activate rapid scale-up mechanisms, delivering immediate financial support and services to those most in need within the critical early hours of a disaster.

We are also ensuring that early warning systems reach every individual. A warning that fails to reach a remote village or an underserved urban area is a failure of the system. Demographic intelligence enables us to tailor communication to language, age, and accessibility needs.

As a member of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism since 2023, Albania is committed to a high level of interoperability. By standardizing how we collect and apply vulnerability data, we ensure that international support teams arriving through Host Nation Support are guided by accurate, real-time information.

This approach also reinforces our commitment to the principle of leaving no one behind, ensuring that disaster risk reduction efforts prioritize those most at risk and least able to recover on their own.

In conclusion, while earthquakes may be unavoidable, large-scale human loss is not. By placing demographic intelligence at the center of our disaster preparedness and social protection systems, we are building a country that is not only more resilient, but also more equitable.

Let this dialogue strengthen our collective efforts to ensure that data serves people, and that our systems protect those who need it most.

Thank you.