Minister of Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati attended the high level meeting held in New York on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

This meeting focused on challenges and achievements of the UNDP in the course of half a century, highlighting its important contribution to sustainable development in the world, as well as its policies for the implementation of the Development Agenda by 2030.

Minister Bushati was invited to the 3rd session, which focused on the "Preventing violent conflict, building peaceful societies." In his address, after pointing out the constructive role of the UNDP activity in these 50 years, he underlined the importance of advancing state-building processes, strengthening democracy and furthering sustainable development, as a guarantee for the materialization of peace in the world. Minister Bushati brought to the attention of participants the example of positive developments in the Balkans, where thanks to the integration process and intensification of regional cooperation, important steps have been taken to detach from conflicts and bloody wars of the past.

Albania has further intensified cooperation with UNDP by being part of a pilot program of this agency, "Goal 16", which, among its wide range of dimensions, covers peace, justice and strong institutions. In this regard, Minister Bushati stated that "We are committed to realise this goal, because we strongly believe that there is neither development, nor sustainability without peace, there is no peace without justice, and there is no justice without strong institutions. Sustainable development for Albania means reinforcing the rule of law, strengthening values of democracy and deepening our social harmony.”

Furthermore, he noted the contribution that Albania is providing, on an international scale, to the fight against extreme, regional youth cooperation, as well as cultural, religious and ethnic co-existence.