Dzemal Lanica, head of the Ulqini Association in New York, has officially been declared an Honorary Citizen of New York, becoming the youngest Albanian to ever receive this prestigious title in the city and across the United States.

The honor was presented on Montenegro’s Independence Day in recognition of Lanica’s contributions — and those of many other Albanians — to the promotion and protection of Albanian rights in Montenegro.

“This is without a doubt one of those moments that will accompany me throughout my career” Lanica shared in a public post. “With this, I entered the history books as the youngest Albanian to receive this title, not only in New York but across the United States.”

Lanica added that this recognition gives him “double the strength and willpower to continue his mission” — working tirelessly for the rights, identity, and advancement of Albanians, especially in Montenegro.