Quantum Balkan Initiative Launched in Tirana, Marking a New Era of Regional Cooperation in Quantum Technologies
Opening panel of the Quantum Balkan Initiative. Speakers from left: Simon Fried, Malak Trabelsi Loeb, Prof. Gabriele Pao-Pei Andreoli, Olsi Shanini
On April 24, 2026, the Institute for Advance Studies and Cooperation (IASC) - World Changers Summit, in strategic partnership with the Government of the Republic of Albania, convened the Quantum Balkan Initiative event at the Polytechnic University of Tirana.
Participants of ALLATRA and experts from the ALLATRA Global Research Center together with the organizer of the Quantum Balkan Initiative, Prof. Gabriele Pao-Pei Andreoli (third from the right), during the gala evening held as part of the Quantum Balkan Initiative
The summit formally established the Quantum Balkan Initiative (QBI) as a regional platform to position Southeastern Europe within the emerging global quantum ecosystem, bringing together leaders from government, academia, and industry.
The summit was opened by Prof. Gabriele Pao-Pei Andreoli, President of the Institute for Advanced Studies and Cooperation (IASC), founder of the World Changers Summit and the organizer of the Quantum Balkan Initiative. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of responsible innovation, cooperation, and investment in secure infrastructures, warning that technological advancement without purpose may lead to instability.
Opening speech by Gabriele Pao-Pei Andreoli at the Quantum Balkan Initiative
Madame Delina Ibrahimaj, Minister of Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Albania, highlighted the significance of launching the initiative in Albania, noting that smaller nations can play a decisive role in shaping future technological landscapes.
Delina Ibrahimaj, Minister of Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Albania (left), at the Quantum Balkan Initiative gala evening
Key discussions throughout the summit addressed quantum-resilient security, infrastructure, investment strategies, and the need to strengthen human capacity. Madame Malak Trabelsi Loeb, an international legal expert, and recognized leader in emerging technologies, stressed that the primary gap today lies in talent and institutional capability, underlining the importance of international cooperation and targeted investment.
From left to right: Jan Kára, Malak Trabelsi Loeb, and Tatiana Kárová at the Quantum Balkan Initiative
ALLATRA actively participated at the summit as a partner organization. Representatives of the ALLATRA Global Research Center, Dr. Jan Kára and Tatiana Kárová, were among the speakers, contributing to expert panel discussions on post-quantum security and quantum systems integration.
Dr. Kára highlighted that quantum computing represents a significant shift for current security frameworks, as it can break widely used public-key cryptography. This makes it essential to redesign systems with adaptable, quantum-resilient encryption and to treat data security as a long-term lifecycle challenge rather than a fixed state.
Jan Kára during the panel “Post-Quantum Security and Critical Systems.” From left to right: Gabriele Pao-Pei Andreoli, Jan Kára, and Utku Tefek
Tatiana Kárová emphasized the potential of quantum sensing technologies to address critical global challenges, highlighting their application in detecting and understanding nanoplastics at the nanoscale. She underscored that meaningful progress will require not only advanced tools but also coordinated international scientific cooperation.
Tatiana Kárová during the panel “Quantum Technologies: Systems, Computing, and Integration.” From left to right: Gabriele Pao-Pei Andreoli, Andrea Prince Lorenzoni, Tatiana Kárová, and Mete Altinkaya
In addition, ALLATRA provided media coverage of the event, reflecting its commitment to fostering international cooperation, supporting scientific dialogue, and promoting a humanistic vision of technological development.
Gala Evening at the Palace of Brigades
The programme concluded with an invitation-only Gala Dinner at the Palace of Brigades, marking the formal constitution of the initiative in a distinguished institutional setting.
The evening featured a live artistic performance by Rob Prior, accompanied by renowned violinist Olen Cesari, creating a symbolic fusion of art, science, and cultural dialogue.
Gala Dinner at the Palace of Brigades, top right Olen Cesari, bottom Rob Prior
Gathering ministers, ambassadors, academic leaders, and international partners, the Gala reflected a shared commitment to advancing scientific excellence, ethical technological development, and regional cooperation aligned with global innovation frameworks.
The Quantum Balkan Initiative stands as both a strategic framework and a collective vision—affirming that the region’s quantum future will be built through collaboration, responsibility, and a shared commitment to sustainable progress.
About the ALLATRA Global Research Center
The ALLATRA Global Research Center (ALLATRA GRC) is an international research and analytical center focused on addressing key planetary challenges through comprehensive scientific analysis, integrated risk assessment, and development of evidence-based policy recommendations. The center is officially registered and headquartered in the United States and operates internationally, which reflects its global scope and interdisciplinary approach.
ALLATRA GRC carries out interdisciplinary research on the dynamics of natural disasters, climate and geophysical risks, the impact of micro- and nanoplastics on the environment and human health, and advocates for human rights while promoting intercultural cooperation. Its work combines scientific research with strategic and operational leadership to support informed decision-making at the global level.
The ALLATRA Global Research Center is registered in the EU Transparency Register under registration number No. REG 1148853102055-15.
About the ALLATRA International Public Movement
The ALLATRA International Public Movement (IPM) is an independent, volunteer-based organization dedicated to large-scale research in geodynamics and environmental issues. It is recognized for its interdisciplinary approach to the study of natural disasters, the promotion of international scientific cooperation, and the advancement of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
In recognition of its commitment to environmental protection and the preservation of creation, ALLATRA IPM received an Apostolic Blessing from His Holiness Pope Francis in 2024. In 2025, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV likewise bestowed an Apostolic Blessing upon the President of ALLATRA and its volunteers.
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