Tirana, 06 May 2009 – The President of the Republic of Albania, the UN Resident Coordinator in Albania, the Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, representatives of UN agencies, employers and workers unions came together to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the International Labour Organization (ILO) at a national event held in Tirana.

Since its foundation in 1919, the ILO has sought to advance opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. During the event participants assessed the ILO`s role in the Delivering as One UN Programme in Albania and the challenge of building coherence between economic and social policies and long-term development goals.

In his opening remarks, the President of the Republic of Albania, Bamir Topi expressed his `deep appreciation for the continued efforts of ILO with regard to the expansion of social dialogue, the improvement of labour standards and the eradication of child labour and discrimination in the labour market in Albania and abroad.` President Topi went on to outline that; the stimulation of economic growth, investment in education and training and the development of responsive labour market policies, were three elements which deserved the attention, devotion and joint efforts of the government and employer`s organizations.

Addressing the invited guests, the UN Resident Coordinator in Albania, Ms Gülden Türköz Cosslett congratulated the organization for `ninety years of meaningful contributions to our global society`, commenting that `over the past ninety years, the ILO has developed labour standards and an international labour code that constitute the main reference for the progress of individuals, enterprises and society at large.` Ms. Türköz Cosslett went on to note the key role the ILO has played in Albania `in the promotion of decent and productive employment, ensuring fundamental rights at work, and enhancing social protection and social dialogue.`

Speaking at the event, the Director of ILO SRO Budapest, Mr Mark Levin, highlighted the ILO`s collaboration with other UN agencies in the One UN Programme in Albania to combat child labour and the informal economy, the implementation of international labour standards and the advancement of decent work opportunities for young people. In conclusion, Mr Levin reaffirmed the organization`s commitment to assist Albania in achieving its development goals, especially through the provision of decent work opportunities. “Our active partnership with the government and with employers` organisations and trade unions is absolutely fundamental to achieve these goals,` he said.

The Decent Work Programme for Albania, the institutional framework for ILO`s activities in Albania, launched in September 2008, assists Albania in meeting its labour obligations under the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SSA) with the European Union in the area of social security.

The ILO seeks to promote a better life for all. The ILO Constitution declares that “Universal and lasting peace can be established only if it is based on social justice”. Through war and peace, depression and economic boom, decolonization and globalization, the ILO has worked with and for the people in pursuit of that goal. The fundamental values of freedom, human dignity, social justice, social security and equality are essential elements of sustainable economic and social development. In the current global economic and jobs crisis, these principles are even more relevant.

Photo: (left to right: President of the Republic of Albania, Bamir Topi, UN Resident Coordinator in Albania, Ms Gülden Türköz Cosslett and the Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Mr Kastriot Sulka)

The statements of the UN Resident Coordinator in Albania, Ms Gülden Türköz Cosslett and the Director of ILO SRO Budapest, Mr Mark Levin can be downloaded below.

For more information please contact:

Nora Kushti
Communications Manager
Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Albania
nora.kushti@undp.org