Tirana Hosts the Opening Session of the World Law Congress as Minister Gogu Says Albania Chose Reform Even When It Seemed Impossible

The opening session of the World Law Congress took place in Tirana. This event precedes the organization of the 2027 World Law Congress in Albania, which is expected to bring together prominent figures from the international justice community. Attendees included Prime Minister Edi Rama; French Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin; Javier Cremades, President of the World Law Foundation; and institutional representatives and legal experts from various countries. In his opening remarks, Minister of Justice Toni Gogu discussed Albania’s judicial reform in the context of a broader global debate on the rule of law, democracy, and trust in institutions.
The minister emphasized in his speech that the challenge facing modern democracies is not only creating institutions but also maintaining citizens’ trust in them. “The rule of law is not established once and for all,” he stated, emphasizing that justice requires institutions capable of self-correction, societies that persist in demanding justice, and the political will to reform even during challenging times.
Gogu referred to the 2016 constitutional justice reform as one of the most profound institutional transformations the country has undertaken. He said the reform was not just a technical intervention but a choice to redefine the relationship between power and the law by moving toward a system governed by independent institutions.
The minister emphasized that the reform process was based on Albanian and international expertise and was carried out in cooperation with European institutions, under the review of the Venice Commission. He noted that the Albanian Parliament’s unanimous approval of the reform marked a rare moment of political consensus on justice issues.
Placing Albania’s developments within a broader international context, Gogu addressed the global challenges facing modern democracies. He noted that, in recent years, rule of law indicators have stagnated or deteriorated in more than half of the world’s countries, while public trust in institutions is being increasingly tested.
In this context, the minister emphasized Albania’s commitment to reform, even when it comes with costs, requires time, and is met with public skepticism. He described public debate on reform as an essential part of the democratic process, emphasizing that justice is established through public trust.
The opening session marks the start of preparations for the 2027 World Law Congress in Tirana, which will place Albania at the center of international discussions on the rule of law and democracy.