Mr. President,

Albania thanks the Executive Director for her opening statement and commends her leadership at a time when the global context in which we advance gender equality is becoming increasingly difficult.

Excellencies, distinguished colleagues,

We continue to witness concerning developments, hard-won gains for women and girls are being challenged, civic space is shrinking, and resources for organizations defending women’s rights are under increasing pressure.

We should be clear: progress on gender equality cannot be taken for granted.

We must remain united in defending the principle that women’s rights are human rights and that gender equality is fundamental to sustainable peace, development and security.

Mr. President,

Albania welcomes the early implementation of the UN Women Strategic Plan 2026–2029.

For us, implementation is the central test. We therefore encourage UN Women to continue strengthening country level results, national ownership and accountability, while ensuring that resources reach the women and organizations working closest to communities.

Mister President,

For Albania, gender equality must be a central benchmark of UN80.

We support efforts to strengthen the connection between global commitments and implementation at country level, reduce fragmentation, strengthen accountability and make better use of expertise across the UN system.

At the same time, we must safeguard the institutional capacity and specialized expertise required to advance gender equality.

This is particularly important as we consider the future of the UN gender-equality architecture.

Albania has carefully taken note of the analysis on a potential merger between UN Women and UNFPA, as well as other options that may emerge in the context of UN80.

We believe that this discussion should remain open, transparent and evidence based.

We should neither presume the outcome nor approach institutional reform as an end in itself.

The relevant question should be: which configuration will best enable the United Nations to advance women’s rights and gender equality, strengthen accountability, preserve specialized expertise and deliver better results at country level?

Any reform must demonstrate clear added value. It must not result in the dilution of gender equality across the UN system, the loss of specialized expertise, or reduced political visibility for women’s rights.

At the same time, we should be open to opportunities to strengthen coherence, reduce duplication and improve delivery.

We recognize the important role of the Executive Board in determining the way forward and stand ready to engage constructively in the discussions ahead.

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the outgoing Secretary of the Executive Board Mr. Jean-Luc Bories for his dedicated service and welcome Mr. Ziad Sheikh and  wishing him every success in this important responsibility.

Albania remains a strong and committed partner of UN Women.

We will continue to support the implementation of the Strategic Plan 2026–2029, to defend the universality of women’s rights and to work for a United Nations system that is more coherent, more accountable and more effective.

Thank you.