Tirana, Albania – UPF-Albania held the assembly of its National Peace Council on November 16, 2024, at the Peace Embassy in Tirana, to evaluate its work over the past four years and to elect new leadership for the 2024-2028 term. The theme was "Ambassadors for Peace – Hope for the Nation." Participating were 110 chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of regional and local Peace Councils, heads of UPF committees, and ambassadors for peace who have made special contributions to the community.
The first session reviewed the work of UPF-Albania from 2020-2024. In her opening remarks, Mrs. Rajmonda Stefa, chairwoman of the National Peace Council, praised the commitment of all of the local Peace Councils. The guest of honor was the former president of Albania, Mr. Alfred Moisiu, who is also chairman of the Summit Peace Council for the Balkans. President Moisiu wholeheartedly thanked UPF, the Balkans Summit Peace Council and all those who helped in building the Peace Embassy in Tirana in 2021. He also expressed his appreciation to UPF for establishing a partnership with the Podgorica Club and organizing several peace and security conferences in the Balkans.
Mr. Jacques Marion, regional chairman of UPF for Europe and the Middle East, then addressed the gathering, followed by Mr. Luigj Junçaj, ambassador for peace and former minister of minorities in the Montenegrin government.
Dr. Eva Çipi, chairwoman of UPF-Albania, reported that in the past four years 244 events had been organized by UPF committees and local Peace Councils, including those in the Balkans and the diaspora. Approximately 27,500 people had participated in those activities, while 1,373 national and local personalities had been presented with the Ambassador for Peace award. Following this, Mr. Gani Rroshi, secretary general of UPF-Albania, gave a detailed presentation of the activities organized in each city by the local councils.
At the end of the session Mr. Jacques Marion presented plaques to the outgoing chairwoman, Dr. Eva Çipi, and chairwoman of the Assembly, Mrs. Rajmonda Stefa, in gratitude for their work during the last four years.
In the second session Mr. Ali Lacej, coordinator of the Albanians’ Peace Council in the Balkans, spoke about the activities held in the Balkan region and about future goals. The next speaker was Mr. Gaqo Apostoli, national coordinator of the Albanians’ Peace Councils in the diaspora. He shared a report about their work and their expansion in the diaspora. UPF leaders then shared the work of their committees or regional peace councils.
After the presentations, the program continued with an exceptional performance by an ambassador for peace and member of the National Assembly, Mr. Bashkim Alibali, who sang two beautiful songs.
At the end of the session, the elections were held. The voting took place in a warm, familial and friendly atmosphere. Mr. Z. Dëfrim Methasani was elected as the new chairman of UPF-Albania, supported by four vice chairs. Dr. Astrit Memia was elected chairman of the National Assembly, also with four vice chairs.
