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20 March 2023
Secretary-General's video message for press conference to launch the Synthesis Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
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08 March 2023
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08 March 2023
UNOPS/EU4Culture - Artisans between Past and Future: Helping Albanian Women Sell Online
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The Sustainable Development Goals in Albania
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. Learn how 19 UN Agencies work together to support Albania’s achievement of the SDGs. Click on any SDG icon below:
Press Release
25 October 2021
Albania and UN renew commitment to joint work on sustainable development for the next five years
The Government of Albania and the United Nations Country Team in Albania announced their renewed commitment to a joint programme of work for the next five years this Monday, as Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj and UN Resident Coordinator Fiona McCluney signed the Albania-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2022-2026.
The signing ceremony took place during a dual-themed event marking the 76th anniversary of the UN held at the palace of Brigades in Tirana. The event was hosted by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs with the Office of Deputy Prime Minister of Albania and the UN Albania, with participation of key development stakeholders in the country.
In the spirit of the UN Day and the recent launch of Secretary General’s report on Our Common Agenda aiming to strengthen governance for present and future generations, Deputy Prime Minister and Co-Chair of the Albania-UN Joint Executive Committee Arben Ahmetaj announced that the Albanian Government and the UN system in Albania have agreed on a new Cooperation Framework (CF) which will start this January and run through 2026.
The new Cooperation Framework builds upon Albania’s key priorities, the accession to the European Union and delivering on the national pledge to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its nationalized SDG targets, with a focus on the quality of health and education, good governance and rule of law, public service provision, and effective response and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It totals an amount of 282 million USD for the full cycle.
In his speech at the signing ceremony, Mr Ahmetaj praised the current cooperation between Albania and UN and pledged continuous support for cooperation with UN: “As we complete a successful cycle of joint work with UN agencies in Albania, we are ready to renew our commitment to sustainable development” – he said.
On behalf of nineteen resident and non-resident UN agencies and programmes in Albania, the UN Resident Coordinator Fiona McCluney reiterated the principal areas of work of the new Cooperation Framework and the urgency of action to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals: “In the spirit of our joint action is our commitment to fight poverty, promote human rights and gender equality, protect the environment and tackle climate change, support economic and social reforms” she noted (read full speech here).
The UN day is celebrated worldwide on 24 October of each year to mark the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document the United Nations officially came into being. This year the celebrations of UN day in Albania take place as Albania takes up mandate in the UN Security Council for the next two years.
In the words of Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs HE Olta Xhaçka, who delivered the keynote speech at the event, the SC mandate “is a prestigious achievement that shows the maturity of Albanian diplomacy and a recognition of the constructive role of Albania in terms of security, stability and development”. HE Xhaçka appreciated the role of the UN system in Albania in taking forward the commitments of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Watch a short video showcasing some of the achievements of the Albania-UN cooperation and the way forward:
***
More details on the Albania-UN Cooperation framework for Sustainable Development 2022-2026
On January 1, 2022, a new Albania-UN Cooperation Framework comes into force.
It offers a tremendous opportunity to scale up the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and demonstrate concrete results on the ground for the people of Albania.
This Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (CF) between the Government of Albania and the UN system is anchored by country priorities:
The National Strategy for Development and Integration (NSDI) with nationalized goals and
targets for selected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Six priorities of the new Government vision ‘Albania 2030’
Accession to the European Union,
The human rights commitments of Albania and other agreed international and regional development goals and treaty obligations
Strategic Priority A. Human capital development & social inclusion
Outcome A. By 2026, there is increased and more equitable investment in people, removing barriers and creating opportunities for those at risk of exclusion
Strategic Priority B. Sustainable, resilient and green economic growth and resource management
Outcome B: By 2026, innovative and integrated policy solutions accelerate sustainable, productive and inclusive economic development, enhancing climate change adaptation and mitigation and transition to a green and blue economy
Strategic Priority C. Effective, people-centred governance, rule of law, human rights and gender equality
Outcome C1: By 2026, governance is more transparent and accountable, enabling people (women and girls, men and boys, and persons at risk of exclusion) to enjoy quality, inclusive services, enhanced rule of law and access to justice in line with Albania’s human rights commitments
Outcome C2: By 2026, gender responsive governance strengthens equality and non-discrimination, promotes women’s empowerment and human rights, and reduces violence against women and children.
***
Download the Press Release in Albanian
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Speech
15 June 2022
Speech by UNRC Fiona McCluney at the National Conference on the “Common Challenges and new pathways in the fight against corruption: digitalization as an anticorruption tool”
Dear Excellences, Ambassadors, colleagues and friends,
First of all, let me thank Minister Milva Ikonomi for the invite to be a keynote speaker in this Session and for her role as the Minister responsible for organizing this very important Conference.
I am happy to be here with you today on this very important occasion to discuss the results and the necessity for joint work and partnerships in fighting corruption in the Albanian society.
I would firstly like to congratulate the Government of Albania for presenting a complete and encouraging picture of the progress made during 2021 and an honest and realistic situation of the challenges ahead.
UN is happy and proud to have contributed to in fulfillment of key measures related to the fight and prevention of corruption, noting that this contribution has been possible through the partnership with several development partners and close collaboration with central and local government level institutions.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) explicitly link corruption and peaceful, just, and inclusive societies.
SDG 16 and its targets of reducing bribery, strengthening institutions, and accessing information are not only valuable aspirations in their own right, but they are also necessary conditions for the achievement of all the 17 goals.
From a human development perspective, people’s freedoms, choices, and opportunities continue to be undermined by corrupt practices that distort income distribution and public expenditure decisions.
Corruption erodes people’s trust in public institutions, undermines the rule of law, impairs the systems of checks and balances, and contributes to violence and insecurity.
For Albania, the fight against corruption is a matter of urgency to strengthen the rule of law. Still, it is also a key priority in the framework of EU integration of the country. Moreover, maintaining integrity and adopting systematic anti-corruption measures are also vital in the context of public administration reforms.
I am glad that in this Session we have an opportunity to look at the specific role of media and civil society in the fight against corruption.
This is such a complex and multi-layered phenomenon; it is crucial to consider different actors and perspectives.
The promotion of an enabling environment is central to good governance and the rule of law. And as we heard from Nick Thus from SIGMA this morning the importance of upward and downward systems of mutual accountability and transparency.
And with enabling environment I also mean independent, free and pluralistic media, as well as active and engaged civil society.
Media and civil society can contribute to ensure transparency and accountability, promote participation in public and political discourse, and foster democratic processes.
They can play a key role in the fight against corruption, including by monitoring and reporting.
However, we should not forget that seeking transparency and accountability might also entail personal risk.
Last 3rd May, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, I issued a joint statement with the Head of OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Vincenzo Del Monaco.
We particularly stressed the multiple ways in which journalism is endangered by surveillance and digitally-mediated attacks on journalists, and the consequences on public trust in digital communications.
The digital era has created a fast-evolving environment that while on the one hand has democratized access to information and increased exchanges across borders, on the other it has impacted on the right to privacy and in many circumstances put media workers and their sources at greater risk of being targeted, harassed and attacked.
Therefore, media professionals and journalists need to be protected in order to carry out their essential work freely and safely.
Since digitalization as an anticorruption tool is also a key theme of this Conference, I believe this is an important remark to make.
Now let me turn to a few concrete points regarding what we as UN Albania are doing on anti-corruption.
UNODC, UN office for Drugs and Crime, based in Vienna, in June last year, supported the Western Balkan, including Albania, in the developing and adopting a Regional Anti-Corruption and Illicit Finance Roadmap in June 2021. This strategic document focuses on three key goals/ priority areas for the region:
1) preventing and countering corruption in public procurement, something that was addressed earlier this morning.
2) strengthening understanding of conflict of interest and asset declaration systems and creating a regional network of specialized prosecutors, law enforcement and finally
3) financial intelligence agencies in response to corruption and economic crime.
The roadmap establishes a monitoring and goal setting framework and specific actions and training to further these goals.
The UN Development Programme, UNDP, support in the fight against corruption is particularly visible in the two initiatives, firstly, related to promoting Integrity Plans and secondly, conducting the annual Trust in Governance survey. This work links directly to the role of civil society as well as media, or as we are discussing in this panel, where the power held by ordinary people for accountability through role of civil society and media is considered as an important factor.
Integrity plans include a set of preventive measures against corruption that address identified risks that could favor the corruptive behavior of public servants. integrity plans are intended to establish a culture of public management that puts ethics and integrity as the cornerstones of good governance.
The Institute for Mediation and Democracy from Civil society and the Ministry of Justice, in its capacity of National Coordinator for Anticorruption, were key partners during the piloting of six Integrity Plans and endorsing the risk assessment methodology.
This experience evolved in 2020 with the adoption of the methodology for central public institutions and the development of the integrity planning for the Ministry of Justice, representing the first central institution applying this standard.
UNDP have also supported the further expansion of this practice during 2022 in line Ministries including Education and Sports, Culture, Foreign Affairs, and EU Integration, Infrastructure and Energy, as well as Tourism and Environment and continues to work at the local level to extend the experience of integrity planning in 14 additional municipalities, creating a critical mass for a national standard and compliance.
To date, 14 Municipalities have an approved Integrity Plan from their respective Municipal Councils, and 6 other municipalities are in the finalization phase of their plans.
In addition, UNDP and IDM are working on developing an Integrity Index, which potentially will serve as an instrument for monitoring the level of institutional integrity and anti-corruption performance.
The other UNDP relevant product is the annual Trust in Governance Opinion Poll. The Trust in Governance Opinion Poll carried out since 2013 is an instrument that gives voice to what people think, enabling the monitoring of public trust and perceptions on governance and citizen engagement in Albania on a yearly basis.
Through a well proven methodology it explores public perceptions and attitudes on the trustworthiness of public institutions, institutional transparency, and accountability, corruption, political influence, the level of citizen engagement in policy and decision-making, satisfaction with public service delivery, gender, and social inclusion. Regularly public information that should provide the evidence to see changes in attitudes and perceptions of corruption.
I had a quick look at the surveys, which are online, before completing this speech and interestingly, the media and civil society were perceived to be the main institutions holding the government accountable. The 2021 survey will be published shortly, and I encourage everyone to look to this source of information in highlighting how trends change in perceptions of performance by different institutions. The form of trend analysis, that the Trust in Governance Opinion Poll allow provides a useful source for reporting by media or a reference for civil society in reviewing policy, intervention planning, and implementation and assessing results on the ground.
Thank you for your attention in making these general points. Before turning to my fellow speakers I would once again like to highlight the key role of the media and civil society in progressing on anticorruption agenda noted both in SDG 16 as well detailed work related to Albania’s EU accession path. Indeed, like the guiding question of this session, it is the power held by ordinary people that hold its leaders and institutions accountable, the ‘voice of the ordinary person’ and the media’s investigative role, which are and will continue to be key factors going forward.
Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this meeting and I look forward to further enriching discussions during this Conference.
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Press Release
25 October 2021
Albania and UN renew commitment to joint work on sustainable development for the next five years
The Government of Albania and the United Nations Country Team in Albania announced their renewed commitment to a joint programme of work for the next five years this Monday, as Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj and UN Resident Coordinator Fiona McCluney signed the Albania-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2022-2026.
The signing ceremony took place during a dual-themed event marking the 76th anniversary of the UN held at the palace of Brigades in Tirana. The event was hosted by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs with the Office of Deputy Prime Minister of Albania and the UN Albania, with participation of key development stakeholders in the country.
In the spirit of the UN Day and the recent launch of Secretary General’s report on Our Common Agenda aiming to strengthen governance for present and future generations, Deputy Prime Minister and Co-Chair of the Albania-UN Joint Executive Committee Arben Ahmetaj announced that the Albanian Government and the UN system in Albania have agreed on a new Cooperation Framework (CF) which will start this January and run through 2026.
The new Cooperation Framework builds upon Albania’s key priorities, the accession to the European Union and delivering on the national pledge to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its nationalized SDG targets, with a focus on the quality of health and education, good governance and rule of law, public service provision, and effective response and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It totals an amount of 282 million USD for the full cycle.
In his speech at the signing ceremony, Mr Ahmetaj praised the current cooperation between Albania and UN and pledged continuous support for cooperation with UN: “As we complete a successful cycle of joint work with UN agencies in Albania, we are ready to renew our commitment to sustainable development” – he said.
On behalf of nineteen resident and non-resident UN agencies and programmes in Albania, the UN Resident Coordinator Fiona McCluney reiterated the principal areas of work of the new Cooperation Framework and the urgency of action to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals: “In the spirit of our joint action is our commitment to fight poverty, promote human rights and gender equality, protect the environment and tackle climate change, support economic and social reforms” she noted (read full speech here).
The UN day is celebrated worldwide on 24 October of each year to mark the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document the United Nations officially came into being. This year the celebrations of UN day in Albania take place as Albania takes up mandate in the UN Security Council for the next two years.
In the words of Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs HE Olta Xhaçka, who delivered the keynote speech at the event, the SC mandate “is a prestigious achievement that shows the maturity of Albanian diplomacy and a recognition of the constructive role of Albania in terms of security, stability and development”. HE Xhaçka appreciated the role of the UN system in Albania in taking forward the commitments of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Watch a short video showcasing some of the achievements of the Albania-UN cooperation and the way forward:
***
More details on the Albania-UN Cooperation framework for Sustainable Development 2022-2026
On January 1, 2022, a new Albania-UN Cooperation Framework comes into force.
It offers a tremendous opportunity to scale up the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and demonstrate concrete results on the ground for the people of Albania.
This Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (CF) between the Government of Albania and the UN system is anchored by country priorities:
The National Strategy for Development and Integration (NSDI) with nationalized goals and
targets for selected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Six priorities of the new Government vision ‘Albania 2030’
Accession to the European Union,
The human rights commitments of Albania and other agreed international and regional development goals and treaty obligations
Strategic Priority A. Human capital development & social inclusion
Outcome A. By 2026, there is increased and more equitable investment in people, removing barriers and creating opportunities for those at risk of exclusion
Strategic Priority B. Sustainable, resilient and green economic growth and resource management
Outcome B: By 2026, innovative and integrated policy solutions accelerate sustainable, productive and inclusive economic development, enhancing climate change adaptation and mitigation and transition to a green and blue economy
Strategic Priority C. Effective, people-centred governance, rule of law, human rights and gender equality
Outcome C1: By 2026, governance is more transparent and accountable, enabling people (women and girls, men and boys, and persons at risk of exclusion) to enjoy quality, inclusive services, enhanced rule of law and access to justice in line with Albania’s human rights commitments
Outcome C2: By 2026, gender responsive governance strengthens equality and non-discrimination, promotes women’s empowerment and human rights, and reduces violence against women and children.
***
Download the Press Release in Albanian
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Story
02 February 2022
Why 2022 will matter for climate action
As the world picks up speed in its race against climate change and moves forward from the 2021 Glasgow Climate Change Conference, let’s look at ten key global events in 2022 that will shape critical conversations and influence public policy decisions around one of the most defining issues of our time.
(TBD) | 5th UN Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC5) | Doha, Qatar
There are 46 countries, spanning from Afghanistan to Zambia, that are considered Least Developed Countries (LDCs). They are home to about 13 percent of the world’s population and 40 percent of its poorest people. They are highly vulnerable to countless shocks - from economic, public health to climate change. They remain at the forefront of the climate crisis and are disproportionately affected by extreme weather events. And unfortunately, they lack critical financing to support climate-resilient measures and infrastructure.
LDC5, a conference that happens every 10 years - will include a high-level thematic roundtable on climate change to discuss the unique and urgent issues that LDCs face and the necessary support that they need to ensure that much-needed economic growth does not take place at the expense of their already fragile ecosystems and diminishing natural resources.
February - September | IPCC Assessment Report | Global
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which publishes assessments of climate science every six to seven years, will launch its first comprehensive assessment report since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015.
The IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) will encompass contributions from three working groups led by some of the world’s leading scientists on the physical understanding of the climate system and climate change [Working Group I - published in August 2021]; the impacts of climate change [Working Group II]; and the progress on mitigation and efforts to limit emissions [Working Group III].
End of February | Working Group II Report | Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
This report will cover the impacts of climate change on human and natural systems, observing their vulnerabilities, ability and limitations to adapt to climate change. It will look at options for creating a sustainable future through an equitable and integrated approach to mitigation and adaptation efforts at all scales.
Early April | Working Group III Report | Mitigation of Climate Change
This report will focus on global and national efforts to mitigate the devastating and varying impacts of climate change, looking at innovation and solutions in energy and urban systems, and in sectors such as agriculture, forestry and land use, buildings, transport and industry. It will look at the link between short to medium and long-term plans to curb emissions, highlighting the importance of governments’ national action plans, the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
September | Synthesis Report | Climate Change 2022
Finally, the Synthesis report, which will integrate contributions from the three Working Groups as well as from the Special Reports produced within the cycle - Global Warming of 1.5C; Climate Change and Land; and the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate - will be launched ahead of COP27.
28 February - 3 March | Middle East and North Africa Climate Week 2022 | Dubai, UAE
The first-ever Middle East and North Africa Climate Week, organized by UN Climate Change (UNFCCC), marks a significant milestone in the lead up to COP27 which will take place in Egypt in November.
Hosted by the Government of the United Arab Emirates with support from United Nations and other multilateral and national agencies, the climate week will focus on regional climate action and collaborations needed to build climate-resilient economies and societies, and integrate climate action into pandemic recovery.
Main events will take place at the Dubai Exhibition Center, which is currently hosting Expo 2020.
25 April - 8 May | UN Biodiversity Conference (Part Two) | Kunming, China
The UN Biodiversity Conference, which was expected to take place in 2020 in China, has now been split into two parts. In October 2021, the first part helped to set the stage for the next meeting in the Spring of 2022, with the adoption of the Kunming Declaration, which calls on countries to negotiate and agree on a global biodiversity framework, and the establishment of the Kunming Biodiversity Fund which saw commitments from China, France, the European Union, Japan and others.
The second part, which is expected to resume with in-person sessions, will mark a major moment for global biodiversity with the adoption of the framework that will redefine our relationship with the natural environment. It will include 21 targets and 10 ‘milestones’ to be achieved by 2030, with net improvements by 2050 - including the conservation and protection of at least 30 percent of the planet’s lands and ocean.
Countries had until 2020 to reach the targets of the last framework, known as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Despite some progress, the targets – which range from stopping species from extinction to cutting pollution and preserving forests – were not achieved. The post-2020 framework will be critical in addressing the ongoing decline in biodiversity.
2 - 6 May | XV World Forestry Congress 2022 | Seoul, Republic of Korea
Eliminating emissions from deforestation and promoting forest regrowth and landscape restoration could reduce global net emissions by up to 30 percent. Over the next decade, forests could provide as much as 50 percent of the cost-effective mitigation available.
Taking place under the theme, Building a Green, Healthy and Resilient Future with Forests, the World Forestry Congress will focus on six sub-themes, including reversing forest loss, sustainable use of nature-based solutions and forest resources, and forest monitoring and data collection.
9 - 21 May | 15th UN Conference on Desertification | Côte d'Ivoire
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned in 2019 that roughly 500 million people live in areas that experience desertification. When land is degraded, it becomes less productive, restricting what can be grown and reducing the soil’s ability to absorb carbon. This exacerbates climate change and extreme weather events such as drought, heatwaves and dust storms, while climate change in turn exacerbates land degradation in many different ways.
The next Conference on Desertification will be an urgent call to scale up land restoration as well as nature-based solutions for climate action.
2 - 3 June | Stockholm+50 | Sweden
Fifty years ago, the first world conference on the environment played a significant role in drawing attention to the inextricable goals of poverty alleviation and environmental protection - a link that has influenced climate debates ever since, recognizing the interconnections between humans and nature.
Consequently, the conference gave birth to environmental diplomacy - in an effort to reconcile economic development and environmental management, paving the way for the establishment of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the concept of sustainable development. It also resulted in the formation of national environmental ministries and a series of new global agreements to protect the environment.
Today, as UNEP marks five decades of its work to strengthen environmental diplomacy, standards and practices, it will host Stockholm+50 with Sweden and Kenya, aiming to recommit and strengthen our ability to overcome the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.
26 - 30 June | World Urban Forum 11 | Katowice, Poland
Cities across the globe are facing – and fighting – climate change. Home to 4.5 billion people today, cities are projected to grow by almost 50 percent by 2050. They are engines of growth and innovation, generating 80 percent of the world’s GDP along with 70 percent of global carbon emissions. In recent years, as the epicentre of growth, cities have been struggling to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and to prepare for the worsening impact of climate change.
By 2050, 800 million people in 570 coastal cities could see sea-level rise of half a meter and intensifying storm surges. Global warming may leave more than 1.6 billion urbanites facing an average summertime temperature of 35C. Despite the growing challenges, cities have also been on the frontline of the climate movement and more recently, more than 1,000 cities announced their intention to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Organized under the theme, Transforming our Cities for a Better Urban Future, the forthcoming World Urban Forum will be an opportunity to look at the future of cities based on existing trends, challenges and opportunities as well as how they can be better prepared to handle present and future shocks.
27 June - 1 July | UN Ocean Conference | Lisbon, Portugal
The ocean is the greatest ally in our efforts to address the climate emergency. It generates 50 percent of the oxygen we need and absorbs 25 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions. It is not just ‘the lungs of the planet’ but also its largest carbon sink - a vital buffer against the impacts of climate change.
But the ocean is in trouble – from the impacts of climate change, pollution, loss of natural habitat and other destructive human activities. The forthcoming Ocean Conference, which was scheduled to take place in 2020, will be the second time the United Nations convenes a high-level meeting on the issue.
Organized with support from the Governments of Portugal and Kenya, the conference will be a call for ocean action - urging global leaders and all relevant sectors to boost ambition, mobilize partnerships and increase investment in science-driven and innovative approaches to reverse the decline in ocean health.
It will also be a clarion call to communities, businesses and individuals to play their part to curb marine pollution and commit to responsible consumption of ocean resources.
7 - 18 November | UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) | Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt
The annual UN Climate Change Conference is expected to take place in Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt in 2022. It will advance the global climate talks, mobilize action, and provide a significant opportunity to look at the impacts of climate change in Africa.
A newly released report by the World Meteorological Organization and partners, the State of the Climate in Africa 2020, warned of the continent’s disproportionate vulnerability, estimating that by 2030, up to 118 million extremely poor Africans will be exposed to drought, floods and extreme heat. This in turn will affect progress towards poverty alleviation and economic growth, leaving more people in entrenched and widespread poverty.
The report estimates that the investment in climate adaptation for sub-Saharan Africa would cost between $30 to $50 billion each year over the next decade, or roughly two to three per cent of GDP - enough to spark job opportunities and economic development while prioritizing a sustainable and green recovery.
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Press Release
18 March 2021
UN Youth Advisory Group to UNCT Albania Established
The UN Country Team in Albania is glad to announce that the UN Youth Advisory Group in Albania (UNYAG Albania) has now been established.
The UN Albania Youth Advisory Group is a group of individuals and representatives of UN Albania’s stakeholders who have been nominated/selected to advise the UN in Albania Country Team (UNCT) on key youth issues of importance. Members of the UN Youth Advisory Group will have access to a wealth of opportunities to learn and involved in the UN programmes in Albania, learn about the functioning of the United Nations globally and provide suggestions to the UNCT about how programmes can better address Albania’s youth and include a youth perspective in their components.
The immediate involvement of UNYAG will be to assist in developing the “Youth” component/part of the UN Common Country Analysis for Albania (CCA) and advise in shaping youth interventions under the new programme cycle. They will assist in strengthening partnership of UN Albania with youth organizations and young people.
The call for expression of interest was open from 4-24 July 2020. 55 Applications were received fom across the 4 regions of the country North Albania (Prefectures of Shkodra, Kukes, Lezha); Central Albania (Prefectures of Dibër, Tirana, Elbasan); West Albania (Prefectures of Durres, Fier, Vlorë) and South Albania: Prefectures of Gjirokastër, Korca, Berat).
The current Membership of UNYAG (27 June 2022) is as below
Ana Lena
Ardis Halilaj
Danjel Hyseni
Arjola Brahimi
Kristi Cina
Fiona Dinollari
Alesia Alldervishi
Joni Lleshi
Juna Kalo
Ilvana Dedja
Besnik Hoxha
Andi Rabiaj
Franceska Muco
Ania Sauku
Diogjen Koliçi
Full terms of reference for UNYAG can be accessed here.
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Story
15 March 2023
UN Women - Tackling domestic violence through technology in Albania
Aferdita Kote’s* old Nokia phone had only one contact: that of her husband of 10 years. He called her constantly to know her whereabouts. But she did not tell him when she got a new smartphone equipped with a mobile application (Bright Sky) to report violence. Over the course of two months, she learned how to use it thanks to the Roma Women’s Rights Centre, until one day she finally got up the nerve to use it. The police showed up at her door to find her with bruises on her face.
“I reported domestic violence through the mobile app and the police came to my house immediately. I tried to go to the police station before, but I could not find the courage,” says Kote, a mother of two.
Last year, 70 women from disadvantaged groups in Albania – including women with disabilities, Roma women, and women from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTQI+) community – received smartphones and Internet packages to enable them to report violence and access necessary protection and support services.
“Aferdita learned about this creative solution during one of our information sessions with the community,” explains Manjola Veizi, Executive Director of the Roma Women’s Rights Centre, which is a partner of UN Women’s Regional Programme on Ending Violence against Women in the Western Balkans and Türkiye, funded by the European Union. “She finally used the app to report her abusive partner who has been detained and she has a protection order for one year.”
The Bright Sky application – the result of a partnership between the Vodafone Albania Foundation, Albania’s Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health and Social Protection and UN Women – was launched in Albania in 2021 through the “Hidh nje H’app” (”Take a st’aap”) campaign. This free app provides support and information to anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or to those concerned about someone they know. It enables users to assess the safety of a relationship, access information about different forms of abuse and how to help a friend that may be affected and locate their nearest support centre.
In March 2022, Vodafone Albania Foundation in collaboration with the Albanian Disability Rights Foundation (ADRF) provided the smartphones equipped with the Bright Sky application to 70 women in five cities: Tiranë, Vlorë, Fier, Lezhë and Korçë. ADRF and its partner organizations, Roma Women’s Rights Center and Aleanca LGBT, supported vulnerable women – in particular Roma women, women with disabilities, and LGBTIQ+ community – through technological literacy training and information on reporting violence, as well as through peer-to-peer support, counselling and legal aid.
“Ten training sessions were held in small groups where women and girls who received the smart phones were introduced not only to the application, but also learned about all forms of violence and about the services available in the areas where they live,” explains Blerta Cani, Executive Director of ADRF.
Since 2021 they have established two self-advocacy groups of women with disabilities and women from the Roma community, who were trained to provide information and support to other women from their communities. More than 200 women survivors of violence have been informed and referred to more specialized services, of whom around 50 have received free legal aid and psychosocial counselling.
“Through the training for the mobile application, I learned for the first time about different forms of violence,” says Qamile Beshiri, one of the women with disabilities to receive a smartphone. “It is truly an innovation for our community to be able to report violence – a phenomenon that women and girls with language impairments experience often, not only from their husbands but also from their family members.” She suggests developing an orientation video about the use of the application in sign language, to further increase reporting from women and girls with disabilities.
Vodafone Albania Foundation, a signatory to the Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs) has conducted campaigns throughout the year to raise public awareness on domestic violence and inform Albanians about the application, which has increased the number of users.
“We organized several training sessions with professionals working to fight against domestic violence, such as representatives of the national mechanism against domestic violence and NGOs. A dedicated session was also held with the School of Magistrates as well as with students of the Faculty of Law and Economics,” says Ermira Kocu, Senior Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility at Vodafone Albania Foundation.
The application has 25,234 users so far and 85 per cent of them have benefited directly.
For her part, Aferdita Kote is now happy, has started working and feels better – albeit not yet safe, since she still lives in her husband’s house. As she awaits housing support, she is scared about what might happen to her and her two children when her husband returns.
Previous research conducted by UN Women and its partners showed that women from vulnerable communities face additional forms of violence and discrimination related to their sexual identity, disability and ethnicity, as well as various challenges in reporting violence in all its forms. This is why it is vital to continue supporting organizations working from an intersectional approach.
*Source: https://albania.unwomen.org/en/stories/news/2023/02/tackling-domestic-violence-through-technology-in-albania-0
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Story
24 February 2023
The UN DCO Regional Director visits Albania
The Regional Director of the UN Development Cooperation Office, Gwi-Yeop Son conducted a three day visit in Albania, to meet with the government authorities, private sector, civic society organizations, international bodies, and the UN Country Team in Albania. The Regional Director also visited some of the projects that have been implemented by different agencies as UN Joint Programmes in Albania.
To commence the line of meetings, the Regional Director met with the Minister of Health and Social Protection, Ogerta Manastirliu, to discuss the key role of the Ministry to help in delivering on the priorities of the Government of Albania-United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2022-2026 on health, including the COVID-19 response, education, social protection, and gender equality.
Ms. Gwi-Yeop Son met with the Deputy Minister Ms. Megi Fino and Secretary General of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs Mr Gazmend Turdiu. The Ministry's critical role in ensuring the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) acceleration was highlighted and praised, as was Albania's active role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
A fruitful and informing discussion was held with Albania's Ombudsperson on human rights accomplishments and obstacles in the country within the framework of the Secretary General’s Call to Action for Human Right.
In a meeting with some of the development partners of UN Albania, the Regional Director underscored the importance of their efforts and contribution for the work of UN towards attainment of SDGs in the country.
The acceleration of SDGs is of key importance to Albania's integration in the European Union (EU). In a meeting with the European Union Ambassador, Ms. Christiane Hohmann, Ms. Son praised the fruitful cooperation between the UN and EU, and thanked the Ambassador for the support that the EU continues to provide towards our work.
As partnerships with the private sector are essential for achieving the SDGs, the Regional Director had a productive discussion with several Albanian companies committed to the Global Compact and the Women Empowerment Principles. The representatives of the private sector expressed their willingness to move forward with the acceleration of the SDGs.
Ms. Gwi-Yeop Son expressed appreciation for the work and dedication of the civic society organizations during a meeting with their representatives, recognizing that their contributions are crucial to achieving the SDGs.
Furthermore, the Regional Director met with the UN Country Team in Albania to discuss the progress for the implementation of the UNSDCF 2022-26. The discussion revolved around the thematic areas including gender, disability, youth, communications and advocacy. Also, the significance of overall joint coordination for impactful results was highlighted during the meeting.
Ms. Gwi-Yeop Son visited various United Nations projects while in the country, including a kindergarten and middle school rebuilt by EU4Schools, which is funded by the EU and implemented by UNDP. She also visited the Center for Children with Disabilities, where 25 children receive services such as individual and group therapy, as well as life skills training. This center was established by UNDP as part of the UN Albania joint program "Leave No One Behind", which is funded by the Swiss government.
Another significant moment was the Regional Director's visit to two cultural heritage sites that have recently undergone renovations as part of the EU4Culture project, which is funded by the EU and implemented by UNOPS Albania. To learn more about the background of these Albanian cultural heritage sites, she visited the National Historical Museum and the National Puppet Theatre.
To conclude her visit in Albania, Ms. Gwi-Yeop Son visited Pogradec to join an activity of our #UN4YOUth project supported by UN Peacebuilding. She applauded the commitment of the youth for cooperation, countering hate speech and promoting inclusion.
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Story
17 February 2023
UNDP - Tapping into the wealth and knowledge of academia to further common goals
With 850 students in education, around 2,000 participants in continuing education, and 140 employees, the University of Lucerne is one of Switzerland's most esteemed universities for social work. Through teaching, continuing education, research, and services, the university strives to develop social work in Switzerland and beyond. Knowledge transfer between theory and practice is a key element of this partnership with HSLU.
During their stay in Lucerne, the Albanian professors became acquainted with the structure of their host university—its departments, courses, and modules related to social work. They had also visited various service providers that host students from University of Lucerne for practice or internship purposes or employ social workers who have graduated from this school.
At the end of their visit, they identified and articulated areas where guidance from their Swiss colleagues would be beneficial, such as improving curriculum literature, increasing the capacity of service providers to host social work students for practice or internships, and developing continuing education programs for practicing social workers.
"Leave no one behind" is a United Nations joint project implemented by UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, and UN Women. With unwavering support and long-standing commitment from the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation, the project works to boost opportunities for vulnerable communities to access social care services wherever they are.
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Story
13 February 2023
UNDP - Driving Business in Albania towards the Sustainable Development Goals
Businesses play a key role in promoting the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Often, businesses ask, "How?" Here is how:
Businesses are important catalysts for change as they have an influence on the environment and social fabric of communities. Businesses use their products, services, and operations to create positive social and environmental impacts. Through their supply chains, business activities, and investments, companies have an impact on the local communities.
The United Nations (UN) agencies are engaging businesses in the implementation of the SDGs in a myriad of ways.
In Albania, UNDP has partnered with sister UN agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Labor Organization (ILO), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), to implement a UN joint programme funded by the Swedish Development Agency called: Business Partnerships and Solutions for Sustainable Development Goals.
The Programme works to empower private sector entities in Albania to incorporate the Sustainable Development Goals into their operational models.
The project targets two primary business sectors – agro-processing and Textile, Clothing, Leather and Footwear (TCLF) – that have been selected based on their considerable impact on the nation's economic growth and employment. Project interventions will contribute to economic development and job creation by aiding in the growth and improvement of these two sectors.
And the support is already showing results:
The AN & GES textile factory was one of the beneficiaries of the ILO Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) training, piloted under the programme. After the successful implementation of SCORE, which combines practical classroom training with in-factory consulting, the factory's textile product waste was reduced by 3 percent due to better use of the raw material.
Also, a 4 percent decline in absenteeism was noted after the introduction of daily meetings. Good housekeeping, removal of unwanted materials as well as the application of the 5S improvement in the storage of the enterprises resulted in the reduction of searching time from approximately 8 minutes to about 2 minutes each time.
The programme also works to boost private sector actors' knowledge of the SDGs and to help companies become more sustainable by improving their working conditions and processes.
The programme aims to elevate the standards of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Albania as the country draws closer to joining the European Union and to allow them to become part of the international supply chain. Moreover, this project plans to assist SMEs in conducting sustainable practices that are in line with the SDGs.
FIX PRO sh.p.k., a company operating in the field of meat processing, is committed to becoming energetically independent, while decreasing its CO2 emissions. The business has recently installed solar panels, which are going to be an asset in the future due to the increasing prices of electricity and fuel. In addition, it plans to invest in electric cars for delivery services in partnership with an Italian company. Over time, the business also gradually improved its packaging and reduced its environmental impact. For instance, the company is active in cardboard recycling and has installed a water treatment plant. Active since 2015, the system preserves the soil and the work of the farmers nearby, as the factory is in an industrial area close to an open-field production.
The programme will help Albania bring Agenda 2030 to fruition by creating strategies and analyses, connecting with Swedish companies and showing the business world, such as chambers of commerce, business associations, and other organizations, about the SDGs.
Monica Merino, UNDP Resident Representative said, "We are happy to have joined forces with the Swedish government to encourage businesses to adopt sustainable business practices and utilize sustainable strategies to help achieve the SDGs. Companies that invest in the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals help to create an environment that will be beneficial for business success. This alliance will generate a more environmentally friendly future for Albania and the world”.
Investment by the private sector has the potential to close the gap between the SDGs' declared commitments and their implementation.
*In Albania, UNDP has partnered with sister UN agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Labor Organization (ILO), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), to implement a UN joint project funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) called: Business Partnerships and Solutions for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Story
07 February 2023
FAO - Albania, Jordan, and Morocco: FAO project to accelerate food systems transformation pathways
Amman/Rabat/Rome/Tirana – Food systems stakeholders in Albania, Jordan, and Morocco have gotten a boost from a project funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to operationalize their food systems transformation pathways. “SFS-MED: a multi-stakeholder initiative for Sustainable Food Systems in the Mediterranean” is an inter-regional project that reaffirms Italy’s continued commitment to supporting the follow-up to the UN Food Systems Summit which took place in September 2021.
This project aims at accelerating progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the Mediterranean region. Country and regional-level activities look to promote multi-stakeholder dialogues around key levers for food systems transformation, reinforcing cooperation across the Mediterranean.
“With sustainable food systems now integrated in the new national Strategy on Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries in Albania, the SFS-MED project will focus, inter alia, on the agro-tourism sector, which has the potential to be a lever for sustainable transformation of food systems, by advancing the country's green economy approach” said Raimund Jehle, FAO Representative in Albania.
According to Nabil Assaf, FAO Representative in Jordan, “the national UN Food Systems Summit dialogue is the pathway towards transforming Jordan’s food systems to more efficient and sustainable ones that contribute to improved availability and self-reliance, access to nutritious food and healthy diets for all Jordanians at all times by 2030, building on the high priority and momentum given to food security and food systems at national and international levels during the third decade of the 21st century, and in line with the vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II Bin Al Hussein towards achieving food security”.
In the words of Jean Senahoun, FAO Representative in Morocco, “in Morocco, the SFS-MED project will support the implementation of the national strategy “Génération Green 2020-2030” with the aim to improve the resilience and sustainability of food systems through a focus on policy, institutional and governance framework, capacity development and scientific research”.
Country-level activities are set to build capacities of food systems actors to embrace a systemic approach to agrifood, as well as to leverage funds and mobilize investments for transformative actions and country projects. Project work will also reinforce the connections across Mediterranean countries, promoting country-to-country exchange building on common interests and shared priorities for food systems transformation in the region.
These activities are implemented within the framework of the “SFS-MED Platform”, an initiative co-developed by FAO, the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM), the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), and the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA). As an affiliated project of the One Planet network’s Sustainable Food Systems Programme, the SFS-MED Platform is a forum for multi-stakeholder dialogue and collaboration, a network for strengthening knowledge sharing and capacity building, and a catalyst for regional cooperation on priority themes for sustainable food systems transformation in the Mediterranean.
This support also leverages previous activities of the platforme at a regional level, such as the organization of three UN Food Systems Summit Dialogues in partnership with CHEAM, UFM, and PRIMA The dialogues were instrumental in identifying some of the critical entry points for food systems transformation in the Mediterranean, which were reflected in a stocktaking exercise published in December 2021.
The dialogues have also inspired an ongoing series of technical webinars to exchange about food-systems-related themes such as food waste management, the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) nexus, the role of innovation for small and medium enterprises, the role of consumers, etc.
You can find the original story here.
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Press Release
20 March 2023
Secretary-General's video message for press conference to launch the Synthesis Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Watch the video here.
Dear friends,
Humanity is on thin ice – and that ice is melting fast.
As today’s report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) details, humans are responsible for virtually all global heating over the last 200 years.
The rate of temperature rise in the last half century is the highest in 2,000 years.
Concentrations of carbon dioxide are at their highest in at least two million years.
The climate time-bomb is ticking.
But today’s IPCC report is a how-to guide to defuse the climate time-bomb.
It is a survival guide for humanity.
As it shows, the 1.5-degree limit is achievable.
But it will take a quantum leap in climate action.
This report is a clarion call to massively fast-track climate efforts by every country and every sector and on every timeframe.
In short, our world needs climate action on all fronts -- everything, everywhere, all at once.
I have proposed to the G20 a Climate Solidarity Pact – in which all big emitters make extra efforts to cut emissions, and wealthier countries mobilize financial and technical resources to support emerging economies in a common effort to keep 1.5 degrees alive.
Today, I am presenting a plan to super-charge efforts to achieve this Climate Solidarity Pact through an all-hands-on-deck Acceleration Agenda.
It starts with parties immediately hitting the fast-forward button on their net zero deadlines to get to global net zero by 2050 – in line with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in light of different national circumstances.
Specifically, leaders of developed countries must commit to reaching net zero as close as possible to 2040, the limit they should all aim to respect.
This can be done. Some have already set a target as early as 2035. Leaders in emerging economies must commit to reaching net zero as close as possible to 2050 – again, the limit they should all aim to respect. A number have already made the 2050 commitment. This is the moment for all G20 members to come together in a joint effort, pooling their resources and scientific capacities as well as their proven and affordable technologies through the public and private sectors to make carbon neutrality a reality by 2050. Every country must be part of the solution. Demanding others move first only ensures humanity comes last. The Acceleration Agenda calls for a number of other actions. Specifically:
No new coal and the phasing out of coal by 2030 in OECD countries and 2040 in all other countries. Ending all international public and private funding of coal. Ensuring net zero electricity generation by 2035 for all developed countries and 2040 for the rest of the world. Ceasing all licensing or funding of new oil and gas – consistent with the findings of the International Energy Agency. Stopping any expansion of existing oil and gas reserves. Shifting subsidies from fossil fuels to a just energy transition. Establishing a global phase down of existing oil and gas production compatible with the 2050 global net zero target. I urge all governments to prepare energy transition plans consistent with these actions and ready for investors. I am also calling on CEOs of all oil and gas companies to be part of the solution. They should present credible, comprehensive and detailed transition plans in line with the recommendations of my High-Level Expert Group on net zero pledges. These plans must clearly detail actual emission cuts for 2025 and 2030, and efforts to change business models to phase out fossil fuels and scale up renewable energy. This acceleration has already started in some sectors, but investors now need crystal clear signals. And all governments need the assurance that business leaders will help them deliver on extra efforts – but governments must also create an enabling policy and regulatory environment. Shipping, aviation, steel, cement, aluminum, agriculture – every sector must be aligned with net zero by 2050 with clear plans including interim targets to get there. At the same time, we need to seize the opportunity to invest in credible innovations that can contribute to reaching our global targets. We must also speed-up efforts to deliver climate justice to those on the frontlines of many crises – none of them they caused. We can do this by:
Safeguarding the most vulnerable communities, and scaling up finance and capacities for adaptation and loss and damage. Promoting reforms to ensure Multilateral Development Banks provide more grants and concessional loans and fully mobilize private finance. Delivering on the financial commitments made in Copenhagen, Paris and Glasgow. Replenishing the Green Climate Fund this year and developing a roadmap to double adaptation finance before 2025. Protecting everyone with early warning systems against natural disasters in four years. Implementing the new loss and damage fund this year. The longer we wait on any of these crucial issues, the harder it will become. In less than nine months, leaders will gather at COP28 for the first global stocktake of the Paris Agreement. They will also launch the process to prepare the next cycle of national climate plans – or Nationally Determined Contributions -- due in 2025. These new climate plans must reflect the acceleration we need now, over this decade and the next. By the end of COP28, I count on all G20 leaders to have committed to ambitious new economy-wide nationally determined contributions encompassing all greenhouse gases and indicating their absolute emissions cuts targets for 2035 and 2040. The transition must cover the entire economy. Partial pledges won’t cut it. I look forward to welcoming “first movers” on the Acceleration Agenda at the Climate Ambition Summit in September in New York. Once again, I thank the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for showing the fact-based, science-grounded way out of the climate mess. We have never been better equipped to solve the climate challenge – but we must move into warp speed climate action now. We don’t have a moment to lose. Thank you.
Specifically, leaders of developed countries must commit to reaching net zero as close as possible to 2040, the limit they should all aim to respect.
This can be done. Some have already set a target as early as 2035. Leaders in emerging economies must commit to reaching net zero as close as possible to 2050 – again, the limit they should all aim to respect. A number have already made the 2050 commitment. This is the moment for all G20 members to come together in a joint effort, pooling their resources and scientific capacities as well as their proven and affordable technologies through the public and private sectors to make carbon neutrality a reality by 2050. Every country must be part of the solution. Demanding others move first only ensures humanity comes last. The Acceleration Agenda calls for a number of other actions. Specifically:
No new coal and the phasing out of coal by 2030 in OECD countries and 2040 in all other countries. Ending all international public and private funding of coal. Ensuring net zero electricity generation by 2035 for all developed countries and 2040 for the rest of the world. Ceasing all licensing or funding of new oil and gas – consistent with the findings of the International Energy Agency. Stopping any expansion of existing oil and gas reserves. Shifting subsidies from fossil fuels to a just energy transition. Establishing a global phase down of existing oil and gas production compatible with the 2050 global net zero target. I urge all governments to prepare energy transition plans consistent with these actions and ready for investors. I am also calling on CEOs of all oil and gas companies to be part of the solution. They should present credible, comprehensive and detailed transition plans in line with the recommendations of my High-Level Expert Group on net zero pledges. These plans must clearly detail actual emission cuts for 2025 and 2030, and efforts to change business models to phase out fossil fuels and scale up renewable energy. This acceleration has already started in some sectors, but investors now need crystal clear signals. And all governments need the assurance that business leaders will help them deliver on extra efforts – but governments must also create an enabling policy and regulatory environment. Shipping, aviation, steel, cement, aluminum, agriculture – every sector must be aligned with net zero by 2050 with clear plans including interim targets to get there. At the same time, we need to seize the opportunity to invest in credible innovations that can contribute to reaching our global targets. We must also speed-up efforts to deliver climate justice to those on the frontlines of many crises – none of them they caused. We can do this by:
Safeguarding the most vulnerable communities, and scaling up finance and capacities for adaptation and loss and damage. Promoting reforms to ensure Multilateral Development Banks provide more grants and concessional loans and fully mobilize private finance. Delivering on the financial commitments made in Copenhagen, Paris and Glasgow. Replenishing the Green Climate Fund this year and developing a roadmap to double adaptation finance before 2025. Protecting everyone with early warning systems against natural disasters in four years. Implementing the new loss and damage fund this year. The longer we wait on any of these crucial issues, the harder it will become. In less than nine months, leaders will gather at COP28 for the first global stocktake of the Paris Agreement. They will also launch the process to prepare the next cycle of national climate plans – or Nationally Determined Contributions -- due in 2025. These new climate plans must reflect the acceleration we need now, over this decade and the next. By the end of COP28, I count on all G20 leaders to have committed to ambitious new economy-wide nationally determined contributions encompassing all greenhouse gases and indicating their absolute emissions cuts targets for 2035 and 2040. The transition must cover the entire economy. Partial pledges won’t cut it. I look forward to welcoming “first movers” on the Acceleration Agenda at the Climate Ambition Summit in September in New York. Once again, I thank the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for showing the fact-based, science-grounded way out of the climate mess. We have never been better equipped to solve the climate challenge – but we must move into warp speed climate action now. We don’t have a moment to lose. Thank you.
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Press Release
15 March 2023
UNOPS/EU4Culture - Artisans between Past and Future: Helping Albanian Women Sell Online
EU4Culture implemented by UNOPS in Albania is supporting women artisans in Kruja to develop and enhance their branding and digital marketing skills to go beyond business-as-usual and leverage an untapped potential of the domestic and international online markets.
Through the “Artisans between Past and Future” grants initiative, women artisans took part in 12 training sessions to learn how to use social media and create visually-appealing content in order to market and sell their handicrafts online.
The new digital skills are already helping women artisans to specialize, develop niche products, “hear” their customers and ensure they have business not only during busy summer months.
We asked some of them to share their thoughts with us and here what they told us:
‘’The marketing workshop was very useful for me and it will help me to have an online presence to sell our products” noted Dallandyshe Tabaku, a 35 year-old traditional carpet maker.
“We have learnt marketing skills for our products, how to advertise them online, adapt our sales to the modern market realities” noted Kumrije Berushi who has been an artisan for more than 30 years.
“I became an artisan when I was 15 years old and I would really like to pass on this craft to all young girls and women while I am still able to work to make sure that traditional craft of carpet-making will not get lost” noted Deshire Maja.
*Source: https://eu4culture.al/artisans-between-past-and-future-helping-albanian-women-sell-online/
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Press Release
07 March 2023
Op-ed from the UN Secretary General for the International Women's Day
Today’s cascading crises, from the war in Ukraine to the climate emergency, affect women and girls first and worst. And as part of the global pushback against democracy, women’s rights over their bodies and autonomy over their lives are being questioned and denied.
Two statistics make our failure very clear:
Every ten minutes, one woman or girl is murdered by a family member or intimate partner.
And one woman dies every two minutes during pregnancy or childbirth. Most of those deaths are entirely preventable.
On International Women’s Day, we must commit to doing better. We need to reverse these horrific trends and stand up for the lives and rights of women and girls, everywhere.
This is one of my core priorities and a central plank of the work of the United Nations around the world.
From South Sudan to Myanmar, we are supporting women and girls in crisis and making sure their voices are heard in peace processes.
The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, recently visited Afghanistan with a message for the authorities: women and girls have fundamental human rights, and we will never give up fighting for them. This year, International Women’s Day focuses on closing gender gaps in science, technology, and innovation. Globally, men are 21 percent more likely to be online than women — and over 50 percent more likely in low-income countries.
But even the richest countries lose out because of gender-based stereotypes and historic bias. In the tech industry, men outnumber women two to one. In Artificial Intelligence, it’s five to one.
Big data is the new gold, and the foundation of today’s political and business decisions. But it often ignores gender differences – or turns a blind eye to women altogether. We should all be alarmed by products and services that bake in gender inequality right from the start, and digitize patriarchy and misogyny. The Silicon Valleys of this world must not become Death Valleys for women’s rights. Medical decisions based on data from men’s bodies can not only harm women; it can be deadly. Discrimination against women in science and technology is the result of centuries of patriarchy, discrimination and damaging stereotypes. Women account for just three percent of Nobel Prize winners in scientific categories since 1901. And women online – including scientists and journalists – are often targeted for sexist hate speech and abuse designed to silence and shame them. But they will not be silenced. Women and girls everywhere are demanding their rights, and their words reverberate around the world. We need action on several fronts to make sure women and girls can make their full contribution to the world’s knowledge through science and technology. We must break down barriers — from discriminatory data to stereotypes that push girls away from studying scientific subjects at an early age. Decisionmakers of all kinds must broaden women’s participation and leadership in science and technology, through quotas if necessary. They should be creative, widening the recruitment pipeline and hiring for skills. And they must be persistent. Gender equality will not happen by itself; it has to be prioritized and pursued. This approach is getting results at the United Nations, where we have our own strategy for gender parity among our personnel. We also need action to create a safe digital environment for women and to hold accountable both the perpetrators of online abuse, and the digital platforms that enable them. The United Nations is working with governments, civil society, the private sector and others on a Code of Conduct aimed at reducing harm and increasing accountability on digital platforms, while defending freedom of expression. Women’s rights are not a luxury that can wait until we solve the climate crisis, end poverty and create a better world. Investing in women and girls is the surest way to uplift all people, communities and countries, and to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Together, let’s work for a more inclusive, just, and prosperous world for women and girls, men and boys, everywhere.
Two statistics make our failure very clear:
Every ten minutes, one woman or girl is murdered by a family member or intimate partner.
And one woman dies every two minutes during pregnancy or childbirth. Most of those deaths are entirely preventable.
On International Women’s Day, we must commit to doing better. We need to reverse these horrific trends and stand up for the lives and rights of women and girls, everywhere.
This is one of my core priorities and a central plank of the work of the United Nations around the world.
From South Sudan to Myanmar, we are supporting women and girls in crisis and making sure their voices are heard in peace processes.
The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, recently visited Afghanistan with a message for the authorities: women and girls have fundamental human rights, and we will never give up fighting for them. This year, International Women’s Day focuses on closing gender gaps in science, technology, and innovation. Globally, men are 21 percent more likely to be online than women — and over 50 percent more likely in low-income countries.
But even the richest countries lose out because of gender-based stereotypes and historic bias. In the tech industry, men outnumber women two to one. In Artificial Intelligence, it’s five to one.
Big data is the new gold, and the foundation of today’s political and business decisions. But it often ignores gender differences – or turns a blind eye to women altogether. We should all be alarmed by products and services that bake in gender inequality right from the start, and digitize patriarchy and misogyny. The Silicon Valleys of this world must not become Death Valleys for women’s rights. Medical decisions based on data from men’s bodies can not only harm women; it can be deadly. Discrimination against women in science and technology is the result of centuries of patriarchy, discrimination and damaging stereotypes. Women account for just three percent of Nobel Prize winners in scientific categories since 1901. And women online – including scientists and journalists – are often targeted for sexist hate speech and abuse designed to silence and shame them. But they will not be silenced. Women and girls everywhere are demanding their rights, and their words reverberate around the world. We need action on several fronts to make sure women and girls can make their full contribution to the world’s knowledge through science and technology. We must break down barriers — from discriminatory data to stereotypes that push girls away from studying scientific subjects at an early age. Decisionmakers of all kinds must broaden women’s participation and leadership in science and technology, through quotas if necessary. They should be creative, widening the recruitment pipeline and hiring for skills. And they must be persistent. Gender equality will not happen by itself; it has to be prioritized and pursued. This approach is getting results at the United Nations, where we have our own strategy for gender parity among our personnel. We also need action to create a safe digital environment for women and to hold accountable both the perpetrators of online abuse, and the digital platforms that enable them. The United Nations is working with governments, civil society, the private sector and others on a Code of Conduct aimed at reducing harm and increasing accountability on digital platforms, while defending freedom of expression. Women’s rights are not a luxury that can wait until we solve the climate crisis, end poverty and create a better world. Investing in women and girls is the surest way to uplift all people, communities and countries, and to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Together, let’s work for a more inclusive, just, and prosperous world for women and girls, men and boys, everywhere.
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Press Release
15 March 2023
UNDP - Accreditation of Vocational Education and Training Schools in Albania: A Milestone for Quality Education and Employment Opportunities
In the context of the Swiss-funded Skills Development for Employment Programme, UNDP has been working closely with develop a quality assurance framework for VET. This involved the development of an accreditation model, procedures, criteria, and standards, as well as capacity development for the National Agency for VET and Qualifications and external evaluators who are in charge to asses the criteria for accreditation.
As a result, six VET providers successfully completed the accreditation process and received certification, with five public and one private provider receiving the accreditation seal.
A ceremonial gathering to celebrate the accreditation of these six providers brought together key stakeholders in the sector, including representatives from the Swiss Development and Cooperation and representatives from VET schools.
Going forward, UNDP, in partnership with the Government of Switzerland, will continue to support Albanian institutions in advancing the VET system reform, addressing skills gaps, promoting lifelong learning, and reducing unemployment. This will ensure that the VET system is capable of meeting the changing demands of the labor market and supporting economic growth in Albania.
Find out more about the process of accreditation: https://tinyurl.com/ykxa7a3f
*Source: https://www.undp.org/albania/news/accreditation-vocational-education-and-training-schools-albania-milestone-quality-education-and-employment-opportunities
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Press Release
15 March 2023
UNDP - USAID partners with UNDP to Enhance Resilience of Albanian Communities
ICR is a three-year project, which will establish a model of support to marginalized communities in Albania affected by exclusion, discrimination, conflict, or abuse. ICR will enhance the resilience of all people in Albania by ensuring those most underserved receive the support they need.
The project will be implemented in Durrës, Lezhë, and Kurbin. ICR will support local government bodies to provide integrated social services including access to justice, healthcare, education, and social protection. Local governments will work as part of a cohesive team in partnership with civil society organizations and pilot a model for integrated social care services, which can be replicated.
Mischere Kawas, Head of USAID/Albania, emphasized the focus of ICR:
“Our priority is to protect the rights and safety of communities most at risk of falling through the cracks: those affected by conflict, discrimination, and abuse. This is at the heart of the Improving Community Resilience project. Through close collaboration with local Albanian institutions, USAID and our partner UNDP will remove barriers to access services and establish an integrated, sustainable support system–so that no one in Albania is left behind.”
The project will also strengthen local prevention and protection mechanisms with a particular focus on women and girls who are impacted by violence. Additionally, marginalized groups will increase their peer support networks to share best practices and support each other. In addition, through authentic media engagement by members of these marginalized communities, all citizens of Durrës, Lezhë, and Kurbin will learn about the positive impact of the integrated social services platform in their communities.
Monica Merino, UNDP Resident Representative in Albania, said:
“We are happy for this new partnership with USAID to further the social inclusion, gender equality agenda in Albania. UNDP Albania is committed to working with national and local partners to promote social cohesion and strengthen social protection systems, as well as consolidate institutional mechanisms and integrated social services as per the needs of vulnerable women and men.”
ICR will be implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, local governments, non-public actors, local CSOs, international development partners, and the media.
Over the next three years, ICR will make a significant contribution to the development of inclusive and resilient communities in Albania.
This project was made possible through the generous support of the American people through USAID.
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