Ardian Hackaj is the Director of Research at Cooperation and Development Institute in Tirana, and the coordinator of Tirana Connectivity Forum. Mr. Hackaj has authored research on the Berlin Process, EU Connectivity Agenda, Belt & Road Initiative, and Western Balkans 6 institutional reforms and good governance.

During his career Mr. Hackaj has held academic and management positions at the College of Europe-Bruges, International Organization for Migration, United Nations, and the European Commission. He holds an MA from College of Europe and a BA in International Economics from Université Lumière, Lyon II.  He is based in Tirana.