Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha, publicly thanked Dr Ray Bondin for his contribution towards the valorisation of cultural heritage in Albania. During a public ceremony in the city of Berat in the southern part of Albania, Dr Bondin was given the Honorary Citizenship of the City in recognition of ‘the precious contribution towards the international promotion of the Cultural and Historic heritage values of the city of Berat, Albania’, and for his great contribution to ensure that the city was approved as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

The city of Berat was put on the UNESCO World Heritage List during the meeting of the World Heritage Committee last June. The Prime Minister thanked Dr Bondin for his great contribution after the Venice Office of UNESCO had requested him to make an evaluation report on the cultural heritage of the city.

The Prime Minister came down to Berat only for this occasion. The city organised a full day of activities to mark this recognition. The mayor also thanked Dr Bondin who he described as a great friend of the people of Albania. A representative of UNESCO also thanked him for his work in the field of world heritage over many years.

Ray Bondin is currently the President of CIVVIH, the International Committee on Historic Towns & Villages. In Malta he is Manager, Corporate Projects at Heritage Malta.