World Changers Summit Brings Its First Edition to Porto Palermo / Diplomacy, Culture and Innovation

Porto Palermo, Himarë | 12 August 2026

On 12 August 2026, the historic Porto Palermo Castle was transformed into an international hub for dialogue, innovation and cooperation, welcoming the World Changers Summit to Albania for the first time through World Changers Porto Palermo 2026. The event was organized by the Institute for Advance Studies and Cooperation (IASC), with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, the Municipality of Himarë, and the Porto Palermo Festival.

Following the success of summits organized at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in the Vatican, Davos, Riyadh, Dubai, Skopje, Washington, South Carolina, and other locations, World Changers has established itself as a global platform bringing together academics, scientists, entrepreneurs, diplomats, institutional leaders and thought leaders committed to promoting ethical innovation, sustainable development and international cooperation.

The event was opened by Prof. Gabriele Pao-Pei Andreoli, President of IASC and Founder of the World Changers Summit, together with Vangjel Tavo, Mayor of Himarë. The programme unfolded through three thematic panels focusing on diplomacy and international cooperation, innovation and technology, and culture, heritage and identity in a changing world.

World Changers Porto Palermo 2026 brought together H.E. Galit Peleg, Ambassador of the State of Israel to Albania; Alberto Contu, philosopher, federalism scholar and Senior Advisor to IASC; Mentor Nazarko, analyst and regional affairs expert; Valon Murati, Vice President of UNI – Universum International College and former Minister of Diaspora of the Republic of Kosovo; Prof. Dr. Enika Abazi, Director of Scientific Research Coordination at the Academy of Sciences of Albania and Professor at the University of Lille; Liridona Beqiri, lawyer, public affairs expert and women’s rights advocate; Nicola Casella, Founder of Longevity 5.0 and President of LYRWA; Ergest Nako, Founder and CEO of Ypsilon Lab; Luka Lamaj, CEO of Al Mada 360 Holding; Raffaella Carnevale, IASC World Changers Ambassador; Prof. Dr. Albert Doja, Professor of Anthropology at the University of Lille; Voltiza Prendi, Founder and CEO of AMAD and intercultural policy expert; Enver Hoxhaj, former Deputy Prime Minister and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo; as well as Denisa Kele, communications expert and moderator of the panel on innovation, creativity and sustainable living.

One of the special moments of the evening was the presentation of the book “World Federal Constitutionalism and Technologies of Power in the Quantum Era”, authored by Prof. Gabriele Pao-Pei Andreoli and Alberto Contu. The book brought into focus the challenges and opportunities related to global governance, the ethics of technology and international cooperation in the quantum era.

The programme culminated in an exclusive performance by internationally renowned violinist Maestro Olen Cesari. Set against the unique atmosphere of Porto Palermo Castle, his performance brought together music, history and emotion, creating one of the most memorable moments of the evening.

World Changers Porto Palermo 2026 brought together diplomacy, academia, innovation, culture and the arts within one of Albania’s most distinctive cultural heritage landmarks. Through this event, Porto Palermo and Himarë were showcased as destinations for cultural diplomacy and international dialogue, while Albania became part of the global World Changers platform and its wider conversation on the future of society, technology and human development.