This morning, the acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, welcomed mountaineer Uta Ibrahimi to the Open Balcony of the Government. Uta has made history as the first Albanian woman to climb all 14 of the world’s highest mountain peaks.
Kurti described her as a symbol of elevation not just in terms of the towering summits she has scaled, but also the noble values she embodies. Uta began her journey in May 2017 with the ascent of Mount Everest (8,848 meters), and completed it with her final climb Kanchenjunga.
“The total height of the 14 peaks Uta has climbed is 116,294 meters… that’s 13 times higher than Everest alone, and nearly 10 times the cruising altitude of an average passenger airplane. It’s the kind of feat that stretches the limits of imagination something that might seem unbelievable, were it not for the living proof standing before us: Uta, fulfilled and proud, having risen over 116,000 meters,” Kurti said.
He emphasized that Uta is an inspiring example for all, but especially for young people and girls, carrying a message that no dream is too big when met with courage and self-belief.
“Thanks to you, Uta, Kosovo has reached K2, Annapurna, Makalu—even Kanchenjunga. You’ve stood where storms show no mercy, where air is thin, where the cold is unforgiving—but where for people like you, determination is stronger than any stone or summit. No peak is beyond reach. With two flags on your back—one in your pack and one in your heart—you’ve carried an entire nation with you,” said Kurti.
