Albania and the United Nations Working Together to Shape Their Next Five‑Year Partnership

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Launched in early 2025, the process combined independent evaluation, country analysis, joint prioritization and design with government counterparts, and broad consultations across society. More than 500 participants contributed through focused discussions, including representatives of government institutions, civil society, youth groups, Roma and Egyptian communities, persons with disabilities, women’s organizations, the media, the private sector, economists, development partners and IFIs.

With the leadership and purview of the State Agency for Strategic Programming and Aid Coordination (SASPAC), the United Nations in Albania and the Government of Albania agreed on three core priorities for the new draft Cooperation Framework: inclusive human capital development, sustainable economic transformation and green growth, and governance, justice, and human rights. These priorities reflect Albania’s development needs, its EU accession path, and areas where the UN can provide the greatest added value.

Across consultations, participants highlighted the need for UN support to ensure stronger rights‑based approaches, more meaningful youth participation in decision making, greater inclusion of marginalized communities, gender equality as a structural issue, credible governance reforms, and practical support for businesses adjusting to EU standards. Development partners emphasized the UN’s role as a trusted policy advisor, supporting evidence-based reforms and long-term development strategies, as a convener, bringing together institutions, civil society, and international partners around complex, cross-sectoral challenges, and as a guardian of global norms and standards, ensuring that progress remains anchored in human rights and the 2030 Agenda.

The new UN Cooperation Framework will be supported by the Albania SDG Acceleration Fund, a country pooled funding mechanism designed to encourage joint programming, government co‑financing, and transparent, results‑focused implementation.

The UN and the Government of Albania will finalize the Cooperation Framework in the coming months, marking the start of a new phase in their partnership—shaped by evidence, dialogue, and the voices of people across Albania.

Read the full summary of consultations here.