Government leaders, United Nations agencies, and development partners came together in Tirana to reaffirm their shared commitment to advancing jobs and social protection reforms in Albania. The High-Level Partners Meeting on Jobs and Social Protection, held at the Center for Openness and Dialogue, brought national institutions, international partners, civil society, academia, and the private sector into a single forum aimed at accelerating progress toward inclusive and resilient systems.
The meeting was jointly organized by the Government of Albania and the United Nations, represented by the United Nations Development Programme, UNICEF, the International Labour Organization, and UN Women, in partnership with the Joint SDG Fund and the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection. Discussions focused on strengthening the connection between social protection and decent work, with the shared goal of reducing inequality and expanding opportunities for all.
Opening the meeting, Ingrid Macdonald, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Albania, stressed the importance of integrated, people-centred approaches to reform. She highlighted that linking income security with access to quality employment is essential for building systems that are inclusive, responsive to the needs of children and women, and resilient to future economic and social shocks.
The gathering marked an important milestone in Albania’s reform agenda, as partners reviewed early achievements and outlined next steps under the UN Joint Programme Lifelong Empowerment and Protection in Albania (LEAP). Supported by the Joint SDG Fund, LEAP is helping turn policy commitments into tangible results by aligning social protection, employment, and care systems.
Early outcomes under LEAP already demonstrate measurable impact. Hundreds of families receiving economic assistance have gained access to integrated care and long-term support, improving their overall well-being. Women and young people have acquired new skills and secured job opportunities, particularly in the tourism and care sectors, enabling transitions from insecurity to more stable employment. Thousands of children and families have benefited from integrated health and social services, reinforcing efforts to ensure that no child is left behind. Mobile training units have also expanded skills development and employment opportunities in remote areas, proving that location should not limit access to inclusion.
Representing the Government of Albania, senior officials reiterated their commitment to sustaining reforms that promote fair work, gender equality, and lifelong empowerment. Silvio Gonzato, Ambassador of the European Union to Albania, emphasized the value of coordinated investments that strengthen national systems and deliver long-term impact.
Albania’s progress positions the country as an active contributor to the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection, a global initiative aimed at creating 400 million decent jobs and extending social protection to 4 billion people worldwide. Development partners, including representatives from the European Union Delegation, the World Bank, the Swiss Development Cooperation, and the embassies of Germany, Italy, and Switzerland, joined in reaffirming their commitment to continued cooperation and investment.
The meeting concluded with a collective call to sustain political momentum and secure long-term financing for reforms that link social protection with employment, empower vulnerable groups, and support inclusive and sustainable growth.
