The 17th edition of the Festival of Diversity is opened with the High-Level Dialogue on EU Interim Benchmarks and LGBTI Rights in Albania

Eurochild member CRC Albania shares a press release on their recent event to discuss Albania’s progress and the challenges that remain in fulfilling the EU interim benchmarks on fundamental rights and non-discrimination, with a focus on LGBTQI+, including children.

Tirana, 14 May 2026 – PINK Embassy Albania and its partners officially opened today the 17th edition of the Festival of Diversity, the largest national platform in Albania promoting equality, diversity and respect for LGBTIQ+ people, linking this year’s festival with Albania’s European integration process and the protection of fundamental rights.

As part of the Festival and the activities marking the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), PINK Embassy Albania organised on 14 May 2026 in Tirana the High-Level Dialogue: “EU Interim Benchmarks and LGBTIQ+ Rights in Albania”, in partnership with the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Unit of the Council of Europe.

The event takes place at an important moment for Albania’s accession process to the European Union, where progress under Cluster 1 – Fundamentals, particularly Chapters 23 and 24, remains decisive for advancing negotiations with the EU.

The Dialogue brought together key representatives of the Albanian Government, Parliament, independent institutions, civil society organisations, international organisations and human rights experts to discuss Albania’s progress and the challenges that remain in fulfilling the EU interim benchmarks on fundamental rights and non-discrimination.

The meeting opened with the presentation of the main findings of PINK Embassy’s new report: “EU Interim Benchmarks and LGBTIQ+ Rights in Albania”, which analyses Albania’s progress in areas such as protection from discrimination, combating hate speech and hate crimes, access to justice, institutional accountability and the protection of fundamental freedoms.

This year, the Festival of Diversity and the IDAHOT activities aim not only to celebrate diversity and inclusion, but also to strengthen Albanian’s commitment to equality, dignity and the protection of human rights in line with the standards of the Council of Europe. These values are to Europe and an integral part of Albania’s path towards membership in the European Union.