Faton Tony Bislimi has received public support for the presidency of Kosovo from his former classmates at Harvard Kennedy School. They include institutional leaders, international experts and professionals from the United States, Japan, Türkiye, Egypt, Mexico and other countries.
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The internationally resonant support was made public through a joint letter conveying congratulations and support, drafted by members of the prestigious MPA/ID Class of 2007, as Bislimi considers the possibility of running for president of the Republic of Kosovo.
The signatories do not present their position as ordinary political support. They studied alongside Bislimi at Harvard, at one of the world’s best-known centers for governance, public policy and international development, and therefore emphasize that they know him personally.
In their assessment, Bislimi is a professional of integrity with a strong academic background, committed to public service and possessing exceptional abilities to build consensus beyond political and ideological divisions.
Bislimi’s former classmates also link his profile to Kosovo’s future. They believe the country needs principled and forward-looking leadership that guarantees institutional stability and maintains a clear democratic and Euro-Atlantic direction.
“Kosovo would benefit from such leadership”
One of the letter’s key passages states that Kosovo would benefit from leadership that is “principled, forward-looking, deeply committed to democracy and firmly grounded in its partnership with the United States and Europe.”
The letter was published at a time when Faton Tony Bislimi’s name is being mentioned increasingly openly in public discussions about the presidency of Kosovo.
Bislimi, a former member of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo and one of the early supporters of strengthening Kosovo–U.S. relations, has combined, according to his former classmates, an elite Harvard education with practical experience in public service in Kosovo, Washington, D.C., and beyond.
The letter bears the signatures of professionals who currently hold positions and responsibilities in various international sectors.
Their list includes Erick Ramos Murillo, CEO of Allkemie; Eugenio Amador, Chief Financial Officer at Comisión Federal de Electricidad in Mexico; Sabeen Ali, based in New York; Dr. Ilker Ersegun Kayhan of Türkiye; Kusi Hornberger, Partner at Dalberg Capital; Shuji Hashizume, Regional Head at the Asian Development Bank; and Mohamed El Dahshan, an expert on private-sector development at UNDP.
“We look forward to witnessing the impact he will have”
In addition to their congratulations and support, Bislimi’s former Harvard classmates say they eagerly await seeing the impact he could have in Kosovo and, in their words, in the world.
The letter from Harvard Kennedy School, signed by professionals with experience in international institutions and organizations, has thus become one of the most distinctive public signals concerning Faton Tony Bislimi and the possibility that he may run for president of Kosovo.
The full letter:
Letter of Support for Faton Tony Bislimi
It is with particular pleasure that we convey our personal support and best wishes to our former Harvard MPA/ID ’07 classmate, Faton Tony Bislimi, as he considers his candidacy for president of the Republic of Kosovo.
It was a pleasure and a privilege for us to study alongside Tony at Harvard Kennedy School. During that time, we witnessed firsthand his deep commitment to public service, intellectual curiosity, integrity and unwavering dedication to Kosovo, its democratic future and its Euro-Atlantic orientation.
Our program of study involved analysis, debate and decision-making. Tony consistently demonstrated technical knowledge, combined with a sharp understanding of the difficulties that arise when implementing complex policies, presenting his positions through clear and well-articulated arguments. His ability to build consensus is unmatched.
Even after his years at Harvard, Tony has continued his commitment to public service. As a former member of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo and an early supporter of U.S.–Kosovo relations, he has combined the political training he received at one of the world’s leading centers of knowledge with years of practical experience in Kosovo, Washington, D.C., and beyond.
At the same time, we wish to recognize and emphasize his tireless work to build bridges across political and ideological divisions. At a time when Kosovo needs greater unity, institutional stability and confidence in the future, Tony’s experience, values and ability to work across political differences represent clear advantages that he will place at the service of the nation.
Our assessment is that Kosovo would benefit from principled and visionary leadership, with an unwavering commitment to democracy and firmly grounded in its partnership with the United States and Europe.
As former students of Harvard Kennedy School, we are pleased to support Tony and wish him every success in his effort to serve his country at the highest level. We eagerly await seeing the impact he will have in the country and, indeed, throughout the world.
With our warmest support and best wishes,
Graduates of Harvard Kennedy School, Master in Public Administration and International Development Program (MPA/ID 2007):
Erick Ramos Murillo
CEO, Allkemie
Mexico & United States of America
Eugenio Amador – Chief Financial Officer, Comisión Federal de Electricidad, Mexico
Sabeen Ali
Harvard Kennedy School
New York City, United States of America
Dr. Ilker Ersegun Kayhan
Harvard Kennedy School
Türkiye
Kusi Hornberger
Partner, Dalberg Capital
United States of America
Shuji Hashizume
Regional Head, Asian Development Bank
Japan
Mohamed El Dahshan
Private Sector Development Expert, UNDP
Egypt
Nilgün Yankaya Akram – MPA/ID – United Kingdom
Laura Ardila – MPA/ID 2007, Harvard Kennedy School – United States of America
