On September 22, the United Nations (UN) approved the “Pact for the Future,” a comprehensive framework aimed at addressing the pressing challenges of the 21st century, including conflicts, climate change, and human rights issues. Among the world leaders present at the meeting was Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who expressed Albania’s full support for the initiative.
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| Edi Rama while speaking at the UN |
In his speech, Rama emphasized the importance of global cooperation and the urgent need to rebuild trust in multilateralism. He also touched on a significant development in Albania: the transformation of the World Bektashi Order’s headquarters in Tirana into a sovereign state, akin to the Vatican. This symbolic gesture, he explained, reflects Albania's commitment to fostering tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Rama referenced Albania’s inspiration for the project, drawing on the words of Mother Teresa: “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” He highlighted that Albania, despite its small size, has historically made meaningful contributions to global peace and solidarity, such as providing refuge to Jewish people during World War II and sheltering Afghan refugees in recent years.
Albania’s Commitment to Global Challenges
In his remarks to the UN, Rama called for a renewed focus on addressing the growing divide between global powers and the increasing fear about the future. He acknowledged the failings of international institutions, including the UN, in meeting the expectations of the people they serve. “Too often, our actions have fallen short of the hopes of the peoples we claim to represent,” Rama stated, urging the global community to reflect on how multilateralism can be reinvigorated to meet today’s crises.
Rama warned that the world faces existential threats, exacerbated by crises that have eroded common ground and divided nations further. He underscored the need to restore trust and demonstrate that multilateralism is not an empty promise, but a powerful tool to address global challenges. He also expressed concern over the ongoing war in Europe, which has raised fears of nuclear escalation.
The Albanian Prime Minister stressed that collective action is the only viable path forward to prevent global collapse. “Our challenges are interconnected. If we fail to confront them through a multilateral order, we will fail,” Rama declared.
Albania’s Role in the Global Community
While Albania is a small nation, Rama highlighted its historical role in providing positive examples of humanitarianism and tolerance. Citing Albania’s protection of Jews during World War II, its recent efforts to shelter Afghan refugees, and its status as the birthplace of Mother Teresa, he emphasized that the country has consistently demonstrated its commitment to global solidarity.
Mother Teresa’s legacy, Rama noted, serves as a guiding principle for Albania’s approach to international cooperation: the belief that small actions, when done with great love, can make a significant impact. This ethos, he explained, also underpins Albania’s support for transforming the headquarters of the World Bektashi Order in Tirana into a sovereign state, which will serve as a symbol of peaceful unity and tolerance.
Rama concluded by reaffirming Albania’s dedication to the “Pact for the Future” and the principles of multilateralism, stressing that the commitments made must be fulfilled and implemented. "Albania may be a small country, but we have always provided the world with positive examples," he said. The creation of the Bektashi sovereign state within Tirana, he added, will further solidify Albania’s role as a beacon of peace and religious tolerance on the world stage.