Prime Minister Albin Kurti at ZÂNI on Kosovo’s Human Capital and Economic Future

During the UNGA high-level week, ZÂNI hosted the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, H.E. Mr. Albin Kurti, where we discussed the country’s economic and political trajectory through the lens of human capital, innovation, and adaptation to current market dimensions. Our conversation centered on the challenges that the Western Balkans is facing with brain draining and the diaspora’s potential to transform into a progress-driving asset. 

The exchange underscored that unlocking Kosovo’s full potential is a joint responsibility between the society, decision makers, interest groups, and the global Albanian community. As emphasized, sustainable economic progress requires a shift from ad-hoc contributions to a long-term framework of elevated youth voices, entrepreneurship, and concise pathways to facilitating diaspora engagement. 

Particularly, the discussion delved into strategies of leveraging the skills and experiences of Kosovo’s youth abroad without having to rely on their physical return, given income constraints in the Balkans. Instead, the discussion emphasized the importance of building mechanisms to facilitate knowledge transfer, keeping youth actively involved in national development while maintaining a global trajectory. 

Moderated by Mario Keputa and Artea Brahaj, the discussion concluded with reflections on the integration of expertise from both within and across the world into empowering  Kosovo’s next generation of leaders. The future of the Republic of Kosovo will be shaped not only by policy, but by the collective ambition of its people.