Albania hosted the International Congress on Nanotechnology, an event that highlights the country’s commitment to leading the field of science and technology in the region. The congress focused on building an advanced ecosystem of research and education, aimed at giving young Albanians the opportunity to study the technologies of the future at home.

Prime Minister Edi Rama emphasized the importance of artificial intelligence and nanotechnology as pillars of sustainable development and transparency in governance.

Through international collaborations and institutional support, Albania aspires to become a reference point for scientific innovation in the coming decade.

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Prime Minister Edi Rama: Thank you very much.

Today, I believe we stand at the new dawn for Albania as a nation daring to lead, not follow, at the forefront of science and technology in this region, and let me say that by creating a minister of artificial intelligence, the world’s first AI minister, Albania is not merely embracing the future, but trying to do its part in designing it, and Diella is far from being a gimmick. Through her, we turn what was once the domain of opaque into open algorithms, turning state power into servant power, and our ambition is very bold. We are convinced that sooner more than later, we’ll be able to offer through Diella an incredible tool to make public tenders open, transparent, integral, as never seen before.

As I said, Albania is a daring nation. Harnessing AI as a core pillar of governance, not merely a tool, is our key priority. Our national vision for Albania 2030 in the European Union is, I believe, very clear, rooted in integrity, innovation, and scientific leadership.

This event illustrates better than many words what we are aiming at and what we are trying every day to do. And we will channel more resources, institutional reform, and human capital into helping to build a nanotech ecosystem anchored in Tirana, but radiating outwards, not just in the region, but even broader, and we wish that every major innovation program, every research ground, every public infrastructure project will be powered by high standards, full accountability, and AI augmented oversight.

When the NanoALB was founded, if I’m not wrong, five years ago only, it was a signal of also a renewed Academy of Sciences, an Academy of Sciences that showed itself ready to embrace the future and not remain anymore just in the past; and by no doubt, nanoscience and nanotechnology are frontier sciences of the 21st century, and we should, and we will align higher education with our national innovation strategy, from classrooms to laboratories, from research centers to startup incubators. Already several Albanian universities are designing interdisciplinary programs on artificial intelligence, digital systems, and soon nanoscience, because this is not a luxury and either something too special. This is the necessity of nowadays.

Our vision is that within the next decade, every young Albanian who aspires to study the technologies of the future can do it here at home. We will push for partnerships with European universities and research institutes, ensuring our curricula meets the highest international standards. This is a work that has started, and we are already seeing the first steps, and we are also seeing the first encouraging results. This investment in education is not only about producing scientists and engineers, but also about creating a space for people to think in an innovative way and creating a generation, I dare to say, of innovators who will drive Albania’s economy, Albania’s industry, and governance forward.

So, to not take long and to not waste more of your time, I want to say that Albania is very committed to ensuring that every euro invested in science translates into tangible progress, into accountability and opportunities for our youth, and by no doubt, as some of you that have come from abroad can already witness, this is a place that is very opened, very friendly, and it’s a place where the word welcome aligns perfectly with what one would expect in a welcoming place.

So, welcome, and I very much look forward to working closely together with the Academy of Science and its dictator to make things better and to make progress more tangible.

Thank you so much.