Albania to host the World Law Congress in 2027
Albania has been selected as the host country for the 2027 World Law Congress, an event organized by the World Jurist Association (WJA). The decision was officially communicated to Prime Minister Edi Rama through a letter from the association’s president, Javier Cremades. The congress, a significant global gathering of legal professionals, will take place in Tirana and is expected to elevate Albania’s international standing.
Why is this important: Hosting the World Law Congress in Albania is a milestone that showcases the country’s progress in democratic governance and legal reform. The event adds to a growing list of high-profile summits and conferences held in Albania. In May 2024, Tirana will host the annual meeting of European Political Community leaders, while the NATO Summit is also scheduled to take place in Albania in 2027—an unprecedented recognition for both the country and the broader region.
Context: The World Jurist Association, founded in 1963 in Athens, is composed of over 8,000 legal experts, including judges, academics, business leaders, and students from around the globe. Its mission to “promote peace through the rule of law” has shaped its activities for over six decades.
Prime Minister Rama, who is traveling to Madrid to formally receive the invitation, emphasized the congress as a “remarkable opportunity” to highlight Albania’s advancements in democracy and the rule of law. According to Cremades, Albania faced stiff competition from candidates across multiple continents but ultimately gained the trust of the international legal community to host this prestigious event.
The invitation letter from Javier Cremades praised Albania’s efforts in strengthening judicial institutions and ensuring the rule of law, stating that the selection reflected growing international recognition of these achievements.
During the congress, the World Peace and Liberty Award, often compared to the Nobel Prize for Law, will be presented. Previous recipients of this honor include global icons such as Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, and King Felipe VI of Spain. The award underscores the congress’s role in promoting global peace and legal integrity.
Next steps: Preparations for the World Law Congress will involve significant coordination between Albania and the World Jurist Association. In the lead-up to the congress, Albania will continue to promote its achievements in legal reform and democracy, solidifying its role as a key player in global governance initiatives.
Go deeper
Murriz Tunnel opens March 14, cutting Tirana-Dibër travel to two hours
Published on February 21, 2025
Why is this important: The construction of the Murriz Tunnel has been a long and challenging process, marked by delays and technical difficulties. The concession contract for the Arbri Road was signed in 2018, while work on the tunnel began a year later, in May 2019. However, difficult geological conditions, landslides, and engineering challenges caused significant slowdowns. What was initially expected to be a straightforward project turned into a seven-year saga for just 3.7 kilometers of tunnel.
SPAK Chief defends electoral crime task force amid growing backlash
Published on February 21, 2025
Why is this important: The SPAK strategy is the latest move by the institution to ignite intense political and legal debate over the boundaries of its authority. While some civil society actors have expressed support, the task force—set to deploy prosecutors and investigators in the field during the electoral campaign—has drawn sharp criticism from politicians and jurists who argue it constitutes an overreach into political affairs and an infringement on citizens’ political rights. Prime Minister Edi Rama has openly opposed the initiative, calling it a “lapse in judgment” and insisting that political parties cannot be placed under surveillance during an election period. Others have pointed out that surveillance and prevention fall within the constitutional mandate of the police and intelligence services, not prosecutors.
PM Rama meets Tirana Municipality staff, condemns gathering outside SPAK and pledges full support
Published on February 21, 2025
Why is this important: Both SPAK and the Special Court (GJKKO) reacted to the gathering of Veliaj’s supporters outside their buildings, claiming that such actions intimidate judges and prosecutors. They also accused the police of failing to intervene, while law enforcement responded that it was a spontaneous gathering, not an officially planned protest.