Mr. President,
Thank you for the opportunity to address the Board. Albania highly values its longstanding partnership with UNFPA and has already expressed its support for the UNFPA Sixth Country Program for Albania for the period 2027–2031.
We also commend the comprehensive and inclusive consultation process undertaken in the preparation of the Country Program Document, involving central and local government institutions, civil society, academia, the private sector, and representatives of vulnerable groups. Such broad engagement is essential to ensuring national ownership and effective implementation.
Albania considers it particularly important that the new UNFPA Program is fully aligned with our national priorities, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2027–2031, the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, while also contributing to Albania’s European integration process, which remains a strategic national objective.
The Programme is well aligned with Albania’s key strategic frameworks, including the National Strategy for Development and European Integration 2022–2030, the National Health Strategy 2021–2030, the National Strategy for Gender Equality 2021–2030, the National Youth Strategy 2022–2029, the National Action Plan on Ageing 2025–2030, and the National Action Plan on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights 2022–2030.
We are confident that the implementation of the Programme will contribute to tangible progress in areas of vital importance to Albania, including health and well-being, gender equality, education, social inclusion, youth empowerment, and population dynamics. These priorities are closely interconnected and are fundamental both to our sustainable development objectives and to our European integration path.
In this regard, we recognize the strong contribution of UNFPA’s work to SDG 3 on Health and Well-being, SDG 5 on Gender Equality, SDG 10 on Reduced Inequalities, SDG 4 on Quality Education, and SDG 16 on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
The progress achieved by Albania in these areas was also reflected in our Second Voluntary National Review, presented at the High-Level Political Forum in New York last month. At the same time, the Review highlighted areas where further efforts and stronger partnerships are needed. We see UNFPA as an important partner in translating these commitments into concrete results.
One of our key priorities is ensuring universal, equitable and quality access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, with particular attention to women, girls, adolescents and people in vulnerable situations.
Albania highly appreciates UNFPA’s support in strengthening health-system capacities, improving the quality of services, expanding access to sexual and reproductive health information and services, and advancing comprehensive sexuality education. Equally important is empowering young people with the knowledge and information they need to make informed decisions concerning their health and their future.
Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls remain at the heart of Albania’s national priorities. Our institutions are committed to strengthening the prevention of and response to gender-based violence, improving victim and survivor services, strengthening referral and protection mechanisms, and promoting women’s equal participation in economic, social and public life, including decision-making.
We therefore attach great importance to UNFPA’s continued support in these areas and to our joint efforts to ensure that every woman and girl can live free from violence and discrimination and have access to quality, coordinated and survivor-centred services.
Young people are another central priority for Albania. Supporting youth requires an integrated approach that encompasses education and skills, employment opportunities, health and well-being, rights, civic engagement and meaningful participation in public life.
We therefore welcome the Programme’s strong focus on youth and encourage continued close cooperation among UNFPA, national and local institutions, civil society and youth organizations, ensuring that young people are not only beneficiaries of policies but active participants in shaping them.
At the same time, Albania attaches particular importance to addressing demographic changes, including population ageing, declining birth rates and migration. These trends have far-reaching implications for our labour market, social protection systems, health and education services, territorial development and long-term economic growth.
In this context, strengthening national statistical capacities and making effective use of reliable, timely and disaggregated population data will be essential for evidence-based policymaking and long-term sustainable development planning. We value UNFPA’s expertise and support in this area.
We also emphasize the importance of strong coordination with national institutions, civil society and youth organizations, as well as effective coordination among UNFPA and other United Nations entities operating in Albania. A coherent and complementary approach across the United Nations system is essential for maximizing the impact of development assistance, avoiding duplication and accelerating progress towards the SDGs.
Albania considers the UNFPA Country Programme 2027–2031 an important instrument for advancing our national priorities and for delivering concrete results for people across the country.
We are confident that its implementation will contribute to more inclusive policies, higher-quality services, stronger institutions, and a society in which equality, human rights and the principle of “Leave No One Behind” remain at the centre of sustainable development.
Albania remains fully committed to its fruitful partnership with UNFPA and to working closely with the UNFPA team in Tirana and all relevant national stakeholders for the successful implementation of the Country Programme 2027–2031.
Thank you.
