The NZIIA Wellington Branch is delighted to invite you to a presentation on "17 Years of Independence: The Kosovo journey to statehood" with  Her Excellency Jetmira Berdynaj Shala visiting from Canberra.

The youngest country in Europe, the Republic of Kosovo, declared its independence on February 17, 2008. After nearly a decade of freedom and rebuilt from the aftermaths of the 1998-1999 war, Kosovo leaders, recognizing the painful legacy of the past, honoring all those who sacrificed their lives to freedom, and in a spirit of reconciliation, declared Kosovo an independent and sovereign state in which the respect of human rights, adherence to the rules- based international order, and the country's Euro-Atlantic orientation constituted the foundations of the new state.

In just seventeen years of statehood, Kosovo progressed politically and economically and advanced its international subjectivity. Kosovo's accomplishments and future aspirations are a testament to the commitment of its people and institutions to fostering a better and more inclusive environment for all citizens.

Biography 

BËRDYNAJ SHALA is Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

Ms. Bërdynaj Shala joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo in June 2008, playing a significant role in its foundational processes. She was a member of the task forces responsible for drafting both the primary and secondary legislation related to the foreign service. Additionally, she participated in a working group focused on training the first generation of Kosovo diplomats. From September 2008 to January 2012, she led the Consular Department of the Ministry, where she was instrumental in establishing Kosovo's consular missions.

In July 2013, she was appointed Consul at the General Consulate of the Republic of Kosovo in Istanbul. In August 2015, she was transferred to Brussels, where she served five years as the Head of the Consular Service at the Embassy of Kosovo. From January 2021 to March 2022, she worked in the Department of Legal Affairs and Treaties at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora in Prishtina, initially as a Senior Legal Officer and later as the Head of the Department. Prior to her roles in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Foreign Service, from 2004 to 2006 Ms. Bërdynaj Shala served as an Executive Assistant at the Coordination Office for International Cooperation and Regional Dialogue within the Office of the PrimeMinister, and as a Senior Officer for Regional Dialogue in the same office from 2006 to 2008.

She graduated with a degree in Law from the University of Prishtina in 2004 and holds a master's degree in Professional Studies in Public Administration and Management from the Rochester Institute of Technology/AUK Kosovo, completed in 2009-2010.

Ms. Bërdynaj Shala speaks Albanian and English and has basic knowledge of French and Italian.

She was born in Albania, is married and blessed with children.

Doors Open: 5:05pm Q&A will be open to attendees.

Moderator: Karim Dickie from the NZIIA Board will chair this event.

Terms and Conditions 

• Registrations are required to attend this event. No walk ups allowed. Non members can attend by paying the registration fee.
• Should you have not renewed your NZIIA Wellington or Corporate/Institutional 2025 membership please do so prior to registering for this event.
• One ticket per person. Each ticket must contain your full first and surname, email address and phone number.
• All student members must register with their VUW or Massey student email for a valid registration.
• If, after registering, you are unable to attend the event please have the courtesy to cancel your ticket to ensure other people are able to attend. A waitlist will operate.
• In keeping with NZIIA practice, unauthorised recording of this event (either audio or video) is not permitted. Members and guest are reminded to adhere to the NZIIA Code of Conduct.