Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu argued that her nation's experience defending democracy can help the world protect freedom and truth [1].
As a country that emerged from war, Kosovo's perspective on safeguarding democratic values provides a blueprint for other nations facing similar instability or threats to their governance.
Speaking at the TED2026 conference on April 14, 2026 [2], Osmani Sadriu said she reflected on the specific challenges Kosovo has faced. She is the sixth president of the Republic of Kosovo [1]. During her address, she said the struggle for freedom is inextricably linked to the preservation of factual reality.
"Truth is the real oxygen for democracy," Osmani Sadriu said [3].
Beyond the TED stage, the president discussed these commitments to democratic values during her appearance at the World Governments Summit [4]. She said the lessons learned from Kosovo's transition and its continued defense of democratic norms are applicable on a global scale.
Osmani Sadriu said protecting truth is necessary to ensure that freedom remains sustainable. She said that without a shared commitment to the truth, the foundations of democratic governance are weakened, making them susceptible to erosion from within or external pressure.
Her remarks focused on the resilience required to maintain these values after a period of conflict. By sharing these experiences, she said she aimed to illustrate how nations can actively safeguard their liberties against those who would seek to undermine the truth [1, 4].
“Truth is the real oxygen for democracy.”
Osmani Sadriu's emphasis on 'truth' as a requirement for democracy reflects a growing global concern over disinformation and the fragility of democratic institutions in post-conflict zones. By positioning Kosovo as a teacher of these values, she is attempting to elevate the country's diplomatic standing and reinforce its identity as a committed democratic actor on the international stage.
