24-25 October, Tirana, Shkodra - From the 23rd to the 25th of October, Albania had a vibrant celebration of culture, cooperation, and sustainable development on the occasion of the United Nations week. In between the Cultural Weeks of 2023, the UN week brought to the attention a special dimension of culture, the culture of peace and cooperation, the culture of human rights, the culture of gender equality, the culture of protection and action for climate, the culture for good health and wellbeing, protecting biodiversity and many more.

On the 24th of October, United Nations Day was celebrated in the iconic Skanderbeg Square in Tirana. This grand celebration brought together important stakeholders and all 19 UN Agencies and Programmes operating in Albania, including the IOM. The event highlighted the partnership between Albania and the UN, showcasing the remarkable journey over the decades, and the case for accelerating actions on the SDGs was made, underlining the collective efforts required to achieve the goals.

IOM had a significant presence at the UN fair during these special days. This year marks the 30th anniversary of IOM's presence in Albania, and we took this opportunity to showcase the enduring commitment to the well-being of migrants and the development of Albania's migration management system. Dozens of citizens gathered at the IOM tent to learn about the organization's diverse initiatives throughout the years. The IOM team shared insights from the work in diaspora engagement, return and reintegration, combating smuggling of migrants and human trafficking, and preventing unsafe migration. 

On the 25th of October, the UN fair moved to Shkodra, where the local community actively embraced the event. Participants engaged in discussions about the importance of safe and orderly migration for the benefit of all. The day was filled with interactive conversations where attendees delved into various aspects of migration. IOM's publications and initiatives from over the years were explored, and participants tested their knowledge with the Migration Trivia Quiz.

During both days we asked children, youth, and adults to draw and paint their thoughts on migration. Two colorful and artistic “Migration Colours” paintings were created. These activities underscored the message that, as a society, we can work together to create a world that is more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable for everyone. In the spirit of these UN special days in Albania, the focus remained on building a culture of cooperation and peace while addressing critical global and local issues.