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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
12 October 2023
The United Nations Week in Albania 2023
UNITED NATIONS WEEK IN ALBANIA 2023:
23-25 October 2023
PROGRAMME
23 October 2023 - The SDG-themed Day - various locations across the country
Various activities will be taking place across the country, aiming to showcase and promote a wide range of interventions undertaken by the UN system in Albania in collaboration with Albanian authorities, development partners, groups of interest, and members of public at large. The activities will aim to address key issues that impact the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and related commitments.
09:30 - Opening Session: Strengthening the Global facilitators’ network under the UNESCO 2003 Convention - Tirana International Hotel, Tirana. Organized by UNESCO and the Ministry of Culture. This is a Training of Trainers workshop for incoming members of the European Chapter of the Global facilitators network under the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.(This is a closed, invitations-only event)
10:00 - Climate Ambition Chat - Faculty of History-Philology, Tirana. Organized by UN Albania (UN RCO, UNDP, UNOPS) and the Embassy of Spain. An event in the form of a debate among climate experts and young people, to enhance the capacity of the youth to participate in meaningful climate change actions. (This is a closed, invitations-only event. Social media streaming may be provided.)
10:00 - Opening of Bootcamp on addressing gender and intersectional forms of discrimination - Hotel Adriatik, Durrës. Organized by UN Women in the frame of the LNB Joint Programme. The boot-camp will promote the role of social work students in properly addressing discrimination and disadvantages of certain groups. It will also improve the knowledge on the legal and policy framework of the students, as well as on the Albanian institutions directly engaged with the matter. (This is a closed, invitations-only event. Social media streaming may be provided.)
11:00 - Chestnut Promotion Day - at the main square of Bajram Curri. Organized by FAO. Chestnut Day is celebrated in Tropoja every year, and this year FAO is organizing an event to promote local agricultural products as an important aspect of supporting local economies, achieving SDGs, sustainability and well-being. (This is a Public event)
12:00 - Cities #WithRefugees: UNHCR in Gjirokastra - Municipality of Gjirokastra. Organized by UNHCR and Municipality of Gjirokastra . A ceremony of signing the #CitiesWithRefugees pledge by the Mayor of Gjirokastra, part of the global UNHCR campaign inviting cities and local authorities to promote inclusion, supporting refugees and bringing communities together to sign a statement of solidarity #WithRefugees.(This is a closed, invitations-only event. Social media streaming may be provided.)
15:30 - Launching Peace Week and "Western Balkans Youth Forum: Skills for Peace" - Hotel Xheko Imperial, Tirana. Organized by the UN Association Albania. The Regional Youth Peace Forum will form an integral part of "Peace Week 2023'", organized for the second consecutive year in the country, under the framework of UNA Albania's initiative to localize and operationalize the Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda, in the country. (This is a closed, invitations-only event. Social media streaming may be provided.)
24 October 2023 - United Nations Day - at Skanderbeg Square
The UN Day is the highlight of the UN Week in Albania 2023. Several events will be run at the Skanderbeg Square to mark the UN Day, showcase the UN-Albania relationship journey through a mini exhibition; make the case of the need to accelerate action on SDGs, showcase the work of UN system in Albania across the 4 outcomes of the UNSDCF 2022-26 and more. Events are open to the public unless otherwise specified) 11:00 - 12:00 - UN Day High level event - United Nations Albania, Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (This is an invitations-only event. Social Media streaming will be provided.)The United Nations Day will be the highlight of our UN Week in Albania 2023. Speeches from the UN Resident Coordinator Minister of Culture and the Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs will be held on the main stage, to continue with an exhibition and a day filled with activities. (This is a closed, invitations-only event. Social media streaming will be provided.) 12:00 - 12:30 - Unveiling of the UN and Albania Journey exhibition. The exhibition will spotlight four elements of the ‘journey’ through four different dimensions: (i) historical trajectory diplomatic relations between UN and Albania since the Albania’s accession to the United Nations (ii) key contributions and milestones of various UN entities that operate in Albania; (iv) milestones with respect to adoption of key human rights conventions; (v) the cultural heritage of Albania as part of global heritage protected by UN. 12:30 - 16:30 - The UN Fair - Various displays and interactive activities from UN agencies in Albania. Here are some highlights of activities happening during the fair: My Nature Pledge [organized by UNDP]; Youth and Environment: Youth4AirQuality organized by UNICEF and EDEN Center; Mental Health Awareness, organized by UNICEF and UN Association Albania] and much more 13:00 - 13.30 Cultivating Tomorrow: Young Agricultural Entrepreneurs Award Ceremony. An award ceremony focusing on Young Agricultural Entrepreneurs who have completed a comprehensive training program in agribusiness development and market-based digital skills. Organized by FAO 14:00 - 14.30 Puppet theatre show - A show for children on the importance of education on immunization and well-being. Organized by the WHO. 14:30-15:30 - Recraft the past, build up the future. Presentation of a successful case study on promoting cultural tourism, boosting the local economy, and generating income for Kruja artisans and local communities through the EU4Culture Grants program implemented by UNOPS. Organized by UNOPS [EU4Culture] 15:30-16:30 - Empowerment through Self-Defense - Sharing ESD tools and raising awareness on the importance of a safe community for gender equality, self-realization and self-care for women and girls. Organized by UN Women 16:30-17:00 - Performance by the folk ensemble Shqiponja - (supported by the Municipality of Tirana) - The Folk Ensemble Shqiponja will perform in the center of Tirana, in a performance filled with the treasures of our folk art heritage. 17:00-17:30 - Performance by Pleqtë e Krujës Folk Band - The concert by the renowned traditional folk band "Pleqte E Krujes" from the scenic mountain town of Krujë will offer you an opportunity to immerse in the rich tapestry of Albanian folk songs and transport you to the heart of tradition. Don't miss this enchanting concert that promises an unforgettable musical journey!(organized by UNOPS) 17:30-18:00 - Performances by refugee artists (organized by UNHCR and Refugee and Migrant Services in Albania - RMSA)- Through traditional dance adorned in traditional costumes, captivating music, and heartfelt poetry, the young refugees will immerse the audience in the vibrant cultural experiences they've encountered. 18:00-18:30 - Let's combat hate speech (theater performance). Outdoor theater performance of one of the winning groups from the youth boot-camp in Vlora – Youth Advocacy/Action to combat hate speech and build peace, trust and equality. Organized by: UNFPA and UNDP [PBF supported project] 19:00 - SDG Business Pioneers Award Albania 2023: Celebrating Sustainable Leaders in Albania - at the hall of the National Museum of Albania. Organized by UNDP and Business Partnerships and Solutions for SDGs Joint Programme (This is an invitations-only event. Social Media streaming may be provided.) The SDG Business Pioneers awards are aimed at recognizing and celebrating companies that demonstrate exceptional commitment to sustainability and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 25 October 2023 - The UN in Shkodra Important Note: Due to predicted weather conditions we are considering some adjustments and changes to the below programme. Please check back for the latest updates. This year, the UN Week 2023 will take us to Shkodra for a special day. This city with a rich history and full of culture will be our host for a day filled with interesting and informing activities, set to happen throughout the day. 10:00-10:30 - The United Nations Country Team in Albania meet with the Mayor of Shkodra 10:30-14.30 - The UN Fair - at The square in front of Shkodra Municipality. The fair will open with short speeches by Mayor and UN Resident Coordinator. Various displays and interactive activities will be run by the UN agencies in Albania and the Shkodr Municipality. Here are some highlights of activities happening during the fair: My Nature Pledge [organized by UNDP]; Exhibition of agricultural products from farmers in the area of Malësia e Madhe, as well as other farmers who may be invited by the Municipality of Shkodra [Organized by FAO with the support of the Municipality of Shkodra]; Cultural Heritage Fair (artisans' presentations and embroidery and pottery workshops for children) [Organized by UNOPS under the EU4Culture Programme] and more. 11:00-12:00 - Pupils of 4 Shkodra Vocational schools present their experience from the "Boost skills" program supported by UNICEF. Different experiences by pupils of the VE school will be presented in the frame of the Professional Education program of UNICEF. 11:30-12:30 - Breaking down barriers to inclusive justice. Organized bu UNDP. An event focusing on breaking down barriers to inclusive justice and promoting the free legal counseling for vulnerable groups program. 12:30-13:00 - Puppet theatre show. A show for children on the importance of education on immunization and well-being. Organized by the WHO. 13:00-14:00 - Musical performance from the children of the Children's Cultural Center (Main stage). A surprise performances by young artists from the Youth Cultural Centre, Shkodra 13:00 - 14:00 - Increasing awareness on Quality and Standards in the MAPs Sector -(local farm "Shporta e Reçit" in Malësia e Madhe) A regional forum organised by UNIDO in collaboration with Albanian Quality Infrastructure Institutions and SMEs. 14:30-16:00 - Visits/meetings with beneficiaries of various programs of UN agencies in Shkodra. (This is an invitation-only event) Visit to the UNICEF's BiblioTech Project, as part of the awareness month against trafficking; Visit to the UNFPA project at the City Maternity Ward As the weather for our day in Shkodra seems to be unstable, with rain forecasted, this is the new programme:
13:00 – 13:30 - RC/UNCT meeting with Mayor 13:30 – 14:30 - Meetings with program beneficiaries (UNICEF Bibliotech and UNFPA Maternity) 14:00 - 14:30 - Puppet theater show - A show for children on the importance of education on immunization and well-being. Organized by the WHO. 15:30 – 15:35 – Opening of the UN Fair – Welcoming word from the Mayor of the Municipality of Shkodra, Mr. Benet Beci and the UN Resident Coordinator in Albania, Ms. Fiona McCluney. [Venue: The main hall of the Shkodra Municipality] 15:35 – 17:00 – UN Fair and Agency Activities + Artistic Concert in the Shkodra Municipality Hall, 1st Floor 17:00 Conclusion of Activities
The UN Day is the highlight of the UN Week in Albania 2023. Several events will be run at the Skanderbeg Square to mark the UN Day, showcase the UN-Albania relationship journey through a mini exhibition; make the case of the need to accelerate action on SDGs, showcase the work of UN system in Albania across the 4 outcomes of the UNSDCF 2022-26 and more. Events are open to the public unless otherwise specified) 11:00 - 12:00 - UN Day High level event - United Nations Albania, Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (This is an invitations-only event. Social Media streaming will be provided.)The United Nations Day will be the highlight of our UN Week in Albania 2023. Speeches from the UN Resident Coordinator Minister of Culture and the Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs will be held on the main stage, to continue with an exhibition and a day filled with activities. (This is a closed, invitations-only event. Social media streaming will be provided.) 12:00 - 12:30 - Unveiling of the UN and Albania Journey exhibition. The exhibition will spotlight four elements of the ‘journey’ through four different dimensions: (i) historical trajectory diplomatic relations between UN and Albania since the Albania’s accession to the United Nations (ii) key contributions and milestones of various UN entities that operate in Albania; (iv) milestones with respect to adoption of key human rights conventions; (v) the cultural heritage of Albania as part of global heritage protected by UN. 12:30 - 16:30 - The UN Fair - Various displays and interactive activities from UN agencies in Albania. Here are some highlights of activities happening during the fair: My Nature Pledge [organized by UNDP]; Youth and Environment: Youth4AirQuality organized by UNICEF and EDEN Center; Mental Health Awareness, organized by UNICEF and UN Association Albania] and much more 13:00 - 13.30 Cultivating Tomorrow: Young Agricultural Entrepreneurs Award Ceremony. An award ceremony focusing on Young Agricultural Entrepreneurs who have completed a comprehensive training program in agribusiness development and market-based digital skills. Organized by FAO 14:00 - 14.30 Puppet theatre show - A show for children on the importance of education on immunization and well-being. Organized by the WHO. 14:30-15:30 - Recraft the past, build up the future. Presentation of a successful case study on promoting cultural tourism, boosting the local economy, and generating income for Kruja artisans and local communities through the EU4Culture Grants program implemented by UNOPS. Organized by UNOPS [EU4Culture] 15:30-16:30 - Empowerment through Self-Defense - Sharing ESD tools and raising awareness on the importance of a safe community for gender equality, self-realization and self-care for women and girls. Organized by UN Women 16:30-17:00 - Performance by the folk ensemble Shqiponja - (supported by the Municipality of Tirana) - The Folk Ensemble Shqiponja will perform in the center of Tirana, in a performance filled with the treasures of our folk art heritage. 17:00-17:30 - Performance by Pleqtë e Krujës Folk Band - The concert by the renowned traditional folk band "Pleqte E Krujes" from the scenic mountain town of Krujë will offer you an opportunity to immerse in the rich tapestry of Albanian folk songs and transport you to the heart of tradition. Don't miss this enchanting concert that promises an unforgettable musical journey!(organized by UNOPS) 17:30-18:00 - Performances by refugee artists (organized by UNHCR and Refugee and Migrant Services in Albania - RMSA)- Through traditional dance adorned in traditional costumes, captivating music, and heartfelt poetry, the young refugees will immerse the audience in the vibrant cultural experiences they've encountered. 18:00-18:30 - Let's combat hate speech (theater performance). Outdoor theater performance of one of the winning groups from the youth boot-camp in Vlora – Youth Advocacy/Action to combat hate speech and build peace, trust and equality. Organized by: UNFPA and UNDP [PBF supported project] 19:00 - SDG Business Pioneers Award Albania 2023: Celebrating Sustainable Leaders in Albania - at the hall of the National Museum of Albania. Organized by UNDP and Business Partnerships and Solutions for SDGs Joint Programme (This is an invitations-only event. Social Media streaming may be provided.) The SDG Business Pioneers awards are aimed at recognizing and celebrating companies that demonstrate exceptional commitment to sustainability and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 25 October 2023 - The UN in Shkodra Important Note: Due to predicted weather conditions we are considering some adjustments and changes to the below programme. Please check back for the latest updates. This year, the UN Week 2023 will take us to Shkodra for a special day. This city with a rich history and full of culture will be our host for a day filled with interesting and informing activities, set to happen throughout the day. 10:00-10:30 - The United Nations Country Team in Albania meet with the Mayor of Shkodra 10:30-14.30 - The UN Fair - at The square in front of Shkodra Municipality. The fair will open with short speeches by Mayor and UN Resident Coordinator. Various displays and interactive activities will be run by the UN agencies in Albania and the Shkodr Municipality. Here are some highlights of activities happening during the fair: My Nature Pledge [organized by UNDP]; Exhibition of agricultural products from farmers in the area of Malësia e Madhe, as well as other farmers who may be invited by the Municipality of Shkodra [Organized by FAO with the support of the Municipality of Shkodra]; Cultural Heritage Fair (artisans' presentations and embroidery and pottery workshops for children) [Organized by UNOPS under the EU4Culture Programme] and more. 11:00-12:00 - Pupils of 4 Shkodra Vocational schools present their experience from the "Boost skills" program supported by UNICEF. Different experiences by pupils of the VE school will be presented in the frame of the Professional Education program of UNICEF. 11:30-12:30 - Breaking down barriers to inclusive justice. Organized bu UNDP. An event focusing on breaking down barriers to inclusive justice and promoting the free legal counseling for vulnerable groups program. 12:30-13:00 - Puppet theatre show. A show for children on the importance of education on immunization and well-being. Organized by the WHO. 13:00-14:00 - Musical performance from the children of the Children's Cultural Center (Main stage). A surprise performances by young artists from the Youth Cultural Centre, Shkodra 13:00 - 14:00 - Increasing awareness on Quality and Standards in the MAPs Sector -(local farm "Shporta e Reçit" in Malësia e Madhe) A regional forum organised by UNIDO in collaboration with Albanian Quality Infrastructure Institutions and SMEs. 14:30-16:00 - Visits/meetings with beneficiaries of various programs of UN agencies in Shkodra. (This is an invitation-only event) Visit to the UNICEF's BiblioTech Project, as part of the awareness month against trafficking; Visit to the UNFPA project at the City Maternity Ward As the weather for our day in Shkodra seems to be unstable, with rain forecasted, this is the new programme:
13:00 – 13:30 - RC/UNCT meeting with Mayor 13:30 – 14:30 - Meetings with program beneficiaries (UNICEF Bibliotech and UNFPA Maternity) 14:00 - 14:30 - Puppet theater show - A show for children on the importance of education on immunization and well-being. Organized by the WHO. 15:30 – 15:35 – Opening of the UN Fair – Welcoming word from the Mayor of the Municipality of Shkodra, Mr. Benet Beci and the UN Resident Coordinator in Albania, Ms. Fiona McCluney. [Venue: The main hall of the Shkodra Municipality] 15:35 – 17:00 – UN Fair and Agency Activities + Artistic Concert in the Shkodra Municipality Hall, 1st Floor 17:00 Conclusion of Activities
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Press Release
28 March 2023
The United Nations in Albania condemns the tragic attack that occurred yesterday at Top Channel.
We urge the Albanian authorities to conduct a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the attack to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. It is crucial that the safety of journalists and media workers is guaranteed and that measures are taken to prevent future attacks on media professionals and institutions.
The UN in Albania is dedicated to supporting Albania in its efforts to protect the human rights of all citizens.
The UN in Albania is dedicated to supporting Albania in its efforts to protect the human rights of all citizens.
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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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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:
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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.
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Download the Press Release in Albanian
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Story
25 March 2024
Albania: investing in agritourism as an engine for shared prosperity
Seizing the potential of tourism as a driver of rural developmentAlbania in recent years has experienced a significant increase in tourism thanks to its natural beauties, uncontaminated landscapes, wealth of biodiversity, and a rich culinary tradition based on diverse agricultural products. This growth has been accompanied by government policies that promote the conservation of natural resources and biodiversity. An example of this effort is the establishment in 2023 of the Vjosa Wild River National Park, the first of its kind in Europe to be protected by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In 2020, industries directly related to tourism contributed 3.1 percent[1] to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while the sector’s total contribution - including wider effects from investment and the supply chain - was about 17 percent, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council[2]. Incoming tourist flows more than doubled in under a decade, from 4 million in 2016 to 8.4 million in January-October 2023. INSTAT data shows that over 10 million foreign citizens entered the country in 2023.[3][4] As the tourism sector grows, an unique form of agritourism in Albania has been growing as well. Most of these agritourism facilities in Albania are based on the farm-to-fork model, with working farms also equipped with restaurants offering traditional cuisine. Conserving agrobiodiversity, protecting indigenous plants, and promoting sustainable and traditional agricultural and food manufacturing practices have therefore become an integral part of the agritourism approach. Albanian domestic (economic) market and infrastructure have felt pressure by the increasing tourism to meet the demand of consumers and to provide sufficient and quality goods and services. Growing attention to the Albanian agritourism in particular has indeed brings pressure to the domestic market, which opens opportunity and potential to the market as a driver for rural development. Promoting sustainable agritourism among urban consumers will catalyse the development of food systems that provide nutritious food grown through environmentally friendly methods, while also generating opportunities to drive economic expansion and improve incomes and livelihoods in rural areas. Thriving agritourism would also help alleviate the increasing pressure on internal agrifood production generated by the tourism market.
The rural-urban gap
Although agriculture makes a significant contribution to the national economy, accounting for 19.3 percent[1] of GDP and 33.8 percent[2] of the total employment rate, the majority of Albania's economic output is generated by its cities. In 2022, Tirana and Durres, the two largest cities, contributed 43 percent and 10 percent to GDP, respectively. Overall, urban production is around 11 times greater than rural production, while the population living in cities is only 1.3 times that living in the countryside.Infrastructure and an adequate labour force are insufficient in rural areas, where an estimated 85 percent[3] of the country’s cultivated land is made up of small family farms, with an average size of 1.2 hectares. These constraints lead young women and men to migrate to cities or other countries in search of economic opportunities. As well, the ageing farm population is struggling to keep up with technological innovations and changing consumer preferences, and despite exemplary cases of agri-entrepreneurs modernising their production practices, the majority of locally grown products still face challenges in meeting safety and quality standards as well as the demands of the market.
Albania’s vision for changeTo fill the rural-urban gap and ahead of the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, Albania’s government elaborated a national pathway that lays out its vision for the future: one of shared prosperity driven by cohesive efforts from all food systems actors to improve rural livelihoods, food security and productivity, deliver safe, quality food that promotes consumer health and wellbeing, and increase the country’s capacity to adapt to climate change.
To achieve this, the national pathway lays out a set of priorities for the next decade: to develop agritourism and short value chains as drivers of rural development; to establish an effective system of food safety, veterinary and plant protection; to guarantee the sustainable use of natural resources and environmental protection; and to enable climate change mitigation and adaptation. Why a systems approach to tackle agritourism challenges?
Agritourism lends itself to a systems approach because it brings together many interrelated sectors: agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, marketing, food, culture, and local economies.
The systems approach is about bringing together different sectors, stakeholders, and disciplines to arrive at a common understanding of the key blockages to change as well as emerging opportunities for growth, and to jointly devise and implement a set of interrelated actions that can achieve multiple outcomes.
These outcomes include entrepreneurial diversification, branding and marketing local food products, promoting environmentally friendly agriculture, preserving local biodiversity and food traditions, empowering women as innovative agribusiness managers, increasing agricultural literacy, and more.
A systems approach also means foreseeing and mitigating potential unintended consequences, such as the impact of increased tourist traffic on local residents and natural resources, or competition between farms or other related businesses.Accompanying Albania to bridge the rural-urban gap Starting in 2022, FAO, through the Sustainable Food Systems in the Mediterranean (SFS-MED) initiative, accompanied Albania in its transition, using a systems approach. As a first step, the SFS-MED project convened local dialogues in the municipalities of Belsh, Permet, and Shkoder that brought together agritourism entrepreneurs, male and female farmers, micro-finance institutions, municipality representatives, agricultural extension service providers, and vocational training institutes, including culinary schools. Together, they reflected on challenges and opportunities and identified ways to upgrade Albanian agritourism through collaboration across their respective sectors and disciplines. The collective goals were to generate income and produce more diversified foods, in environmentally friendly ways. The dialogues created a safe and inclusive space in which people felt heard and empowered to voice their concerns and ideas in a publicly recognized platform. They fostered a newfound willingness among diverse stakeholders to navigate their differences, engage in meaningful dialogue, and explore how they can collaborate more effectively. For example, one of the realisations that emerged from these dialogues is the need for close collaboration between vocational schools, agrifood businesses, and rural communities to equip local youth with the skills to become the agrifood innovators of the future. “The younger generation has the right attitude to implement better business models, but they lack experience and financing opportunities to start businesses,” comments dialogue participant Eldi Ceco. He runs the ABA Centre, which provides business consulting and advisory services for farmers as well as an online platform and workshops, trainings, and practical demonstrations in the field.At the same time, this process showcased how national-level processes can be grounded in territorial realities, with greater accountability and agency at the local level. Thanks to these dialogues, the participants worked together to formulate their inputs to a national roadmap for food systems transformation, using agritourism as an entry point. The roadmap includes improved land tenure schemes, mandatory training to guarantee service quality and environmental standards, support for branding linked to designation of origin labels, and mitigating climate change through, for example, renewable energy, afforestation and the use of drought-resistant plant varieties.This collective vision was shared with the government at a national consultation that was co-chaired by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, the UN Resident Coordinator and the FAO Representative in Albania. The consultation was attended by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment as well as representatives from academia, agrifood business operators, civil society, government agencies and the UN.“The interventions we heard today confirmed that it is a priority to consider agritourism as a vehicle for food systems transformation, given the importance of both tourism and agriculture for our economy. Albania’s food system can be transformed if we are able to innovate, for example through new partnerships, upgraded technologies, and creative educational models,” said Irfan Tarelli, General Director at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and National Convenor of Albania’s UN Food Systems Summit.“As a cross-cutting area, agritourism can help us coordinate efforts across different institutions. I welcome platforms like today’s dialogue and the various dialogues that preceded it, which helped unite all stakeholders and guide them into prioritising multiple issues and sustainability dimensions. Platforms like these enable a continued conversation and communication between public agencies, donors, civil society, and business operators.,” he added.This process highlighted the significance of building bottom-up and top-down consensus to stimulate collaboration among stakeholders. It also showed the importance of facilitating connections between people, sectors, and levels of governance to find a shared sense of direction that is grounded in the local context.
Shared learning through clusters and more The SFS-MED project also facilitated shared learning and enabled networking beyond the meeting room. For example, it piloted one of the actions identified in the collective roadmap, bringing a group of agritourism entrepreneurs together into a production cluster to enhance their methods, improve product quality, and connect with neighbouring farms to supplement each other’s produce.It did so by linking them with agronomists, a local NGO called the Rural Association Support Programme (RASP), and a seed bank. The cluster members, located in the area of Permet, received training on sustainable farming practices, including reduced water and pesticide use, organic composting, and drip irrigation, and were supported to organise open days at their farms in a bid to seek clients collectively instead of individually.These open days were instrumental in establishing connections between rural suppliers and urban consumers, while raising awareness about sustainable farming and local plant varieties and food products.In another example, the SFS-MED project organized a study tour to the southern Puglia region of Italy, where Albanian agritourism entrepreneurs learned how their Italian colleagues combine organic farming with tourism, offering traditional cuisine based on locally sourced ingredients.The visit also included meetings with representatives from local Italian government and development agencies, who illustrated the importance of a conducive legislative and institutional environment to support collaboration between agritourism entrepreneurs. What is starting to change
For many participants, the local and national dialogues marked the first time they had come together to discuss agrifood systems. This motivated them to get out of their niche sectors and to envision new pathways to sustainable development.
“I learned that agritourism entrepreneurs need to act as guides for farmers in their area: how to produce, what to produce and when it will be needed. So, they should combine their business with the small family businesses around them,” comments Ceco from the ABA Centre.
“This happens already, but it’s sporadic; we must push this more as a business model because there is agritourism potential everywhere in Albania’s rural areas,” Ceco adds.
The Lile family farm and restaurant is an example of a virtuous leader in its local area, which is near the Bënja Thermal Baths in the Vjosa Wild River National Park.
The Liles grow their own fruit and vegetables and serve them in their highly successful country restaurant, which features traditional Albanian and Greek cuisine. The Liles also make wine, gliko, a traditional fruit preserve, and raki, a distilled liquor that is popular in the Balkans and the southern Mediterranean. Their guests hail from all over Albania as well as Italy, Germany, Russia, and the US.
“We buy products from other farmers – milk, cheese, potatoes, maybe eggs when we don’t have them,” recounts Fabja Lile, 18.
The Liles received support from RASP, which provided training on irrigation techniques, reducing pesticide use, composting, networking with other farmers, and increasing their visibility through labelling and showcasing their products in fairs.
“They helped us not just with material things like building a greenhouse so we can grow vegetables year-round – they also helped expand our minds,” Fabja says.
“Until this year, my parents ran their business all on their own. We didn’t know this kind of help was available. Now we are more hopeful, and more open to learning from other organizations.”
Another significant change is the recent establishment within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of an agritourism department tasked with liaising with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment to implement joint actions, for which the collective roadmap could become a backbone.Outlook for the future
The SFS-MED pilot activities have demonstrated that when smallholder farmers and agri-entrepreneurs adopt improved production and business practices and cooperate in clusters, they can access more profitable markets and offer safer, higher quality products.
The feedback from the field shows that these actors reacted very positively: their livelihoods improved, and their methods became more sustainable.
To support the ongoing transformation, there is a need for continued efforts to use a systems approach to connect stakeholders from different sectors and transcend silos, both at the policy level and in the field. This will require identifying champions with national and local visibility who can provide leadership and advocacy.
As well, conversations with the ministries and local funding agencies are ongoing to mobilise resources to implement some of the priorities in the collective roadmap. These include setting up clusters between the Tirana market and small agritourism farms offering safe, local products.
Another idea is to promote climate-smart, digitally connected pastoralism to safeguard mountain biodiversity and improve the lives of shepherds and their communities through tourist itineraries.About SFS-MED
The SFS-MED initiative 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 agrifood systems transformation in the Mediterranean. Its goal is to create a community to leverage and share the knowledge, experience and skills of agrifood systems actors across the Mediterranean region as they implement regional, national and local efforts to transform to more sustainable food systems.Funded by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, SFS-MED is a partnership between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM), the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), and the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA). It is an affiliated project of the One Planet Network SFS Programme. [1] INSTAT. Tourism in Figures Albania 2021. https://www.instat.gov.al/media/11112/tourism-in-figures-albania-2021.pdf[2] USAID. Fact Sheet: Support for Tourism Development. https://2017-2020.usaid.gov/albania/news-information/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-support-tourism-development [3] INSTAT March 2024. https://www.instat.gov.al/en/themes/industry-trade-and-services/tourism…[4] https://euronews.al/en/albania-outperforms-all-european-countries-in-ov…[5] INSTAT. produkti-i-brendshm-bruto-final-2019-dhe-gjysm-final-2020.pdf[6] Tregu I Punes 2020. http://www.instat.gov.al/media/8293/njoftim-per-media-tregu-i-punes-202…[7] FAO. Smallholder and Family Farms in Albania. Table 17. Categorization of farm type and size. AUTHOR ESTIMATE BASED ON MAFCP, 2012
The rural-urban gap
Although agriculture makes a significant contribution to the national economy, accounting for 19.3 percent[1] of GDP and 33.8 percent[2] of the total employment rate, the majority of Albania's economic output is generated by its cities. In 2022, Tirana and Durres, the two largest cities, contributed 43 percent and 10 percent to GDP, respectively. Overall, urban production is around 11 times greater than rural production, while the population living in cities is only 1.3 times that living in the countryside.Infrastructure and an adequate labour force are insufficient in rural areas, where an estimated 85 percent[3] of the country’s cultivated land is made up of small family farms, with an average size of 1.2 hectares. These constraints lead young women and men to migrate to cities or other countries in search of economic opportunities. As well, the ageing farm population is struggling to keep up with technological innovations and changing consumer preferences, and despite exemplary cases of agri-entrepreneurs modernising their production practices, the majority of locally grown products still face challenges in meeting safety and quality standards as well as the demands of the market.
Albania’s vision for changeTo fill the rural-urban gap and ahead of the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, Albania’s government elaborated a national pathway that lays out its vision for the future: one of shared prosperity driven by cohesive efforts from all food systems actors to improve rural livelihoods, food security and productivity, deliver safe, quality food that promotes consumer health and wellbeing, and increase the country’s capacity to adapt to climate change.
To achieve this, the national pathway lays out a set of priorities for the next decade: to develop agritourism and short value chains as drivers of rural development; to establish an effective system of food safety, veterinary and plant protection; to guarantee the sustainable use of natural resources and environmental protection; and to enable climate change mitigation and adaptation. Why a systems approach to tackle agritourism challenges?
Agritourism lends itself to a systems approach because it brings together many interrelated sectors: agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, marketing, food, culture, and local economies.
The systems approach is about bringing together different sectors, stakeholders, and disciplines to arrive at a common understanding of the key blockages to change as well as emerging opportunities for growth, and to jointly devise and implement a set of interrelated actions that can achieve multiple outcomes.
These outcomes include entrepreneurial diversification, branding and marketing local food products, promoting environmentally friendly agriculture, preserving local biodiversity and food traditions, empowering women as innovative agribusiness managers, increasing agricultural literacy, and more.
A systems approach also means foreseeing and mitigating potential unintended consequences, such as the impact of increased tourist traffic on local residents and natural resources, or competition between farms or other related businesses.Accompanying Albania to bridge the rural-urban gap Starting in 2022, FAO, through the Sustainable Food Systems in the Mediterranean (SFS-MED) initiative, accompanied Albania in its transition, using a systems approach. As a first step, the SFS-MED project convened local dialogues in the municipalities of Belsh, Permet, and Shkoder that brought together agritourism entrepreneurs, male and female farmers, micro-finance institutions, municipality representatives, agricultural extension service providers, and vocational training institutes, including culinary schools. Together, they reflected on challenges and opportunities and identified ways to upgrade Albanian agritourism through collaboration across their respective sectors and disciplines. The collective goals were to generate income and produce more diversified foods, in environmentally friendly ways. The dialogues created a safe and inclusive space in which people felt heard and empowered to voice their concerns and ideas in a publicly recognized platform. They fostered a newfound willingness among diverse stakeholders to navigate their differences, engage in meaningful dialogue, and explore how they can collaborate more effectively. For example, one of the realisations that emerged from these dialogues is the need for close collaboration between vocational schools, agrifood businesses, and rural communities to equip local youth with the skills to become the agrifood innovators of the future. “The younger generation has the right attitude to implement better business models, but they lack experience and financing opportunities to start businesses,” comments dialogue participant Eldi Ceco. He runs the ABA Centre, which provides business consulting and advisory services for farmers as well as an online platform and workshops, trainings, and practical demonstrations in the field.At the same time, this process showcased how national-level processes can be grounded in territorial realities, with greater accountability and agency at the local level. Thanks to these dialogues, the participants worked together to formulate their inputs to a national roadmap for food systems transformation, using agritourism as an entry point. The roadmap includes improved land tenure schemes, mandatory training to guarantee service quality and environmental standards, support for branding linked to designation of origin labels, and mitigating climate change through, for example, renewable energy, afforestation and the use of drought-resistant plant varieties.This collective vision was shared with the government at a national consultation that was co-chaired by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, the UN Resident Coordinator and the FAO Representative in Albania. The consultation was attended by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment as well as representatives from academia, agrifood business operators, civil society, government agencies and the UN.“The interventions we heard today confirmed that it is a priority to consider agritourism as a vehicle for food systems transformation, given the importance of both tourism and agriculture for our economy. Albania’s food system can be transformed if we are able to innovate, for example through new partnerships, upgraded technologies, and creative educational models,” said Irfan Tarelli, General Director at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and National Convenor of Albania’s UN Food Systems Summit.“As a cross-cutting area, agritourism can help us coordinate efforts across different institutions. I welcome platforms like today’s dialogue and the various dialogues that preceded it, which helped unite all stakeholders and guide them into prioritising multiple issues and sustainability dimensions. Platforms like these enable a continued conversation and communication between public agencies, donors, civil society, and business operators.,” he added.This process highlighted the significance of building bottom-up and top-down consensus to stimulate collaboration among stakeholders. It also showed the importance of facilitating connections between people, sectors, and levels of governance to find a shared sense of direction that is grounded in the local context.
Shared learning through clusters and more The SFS-MED project also facilitated shared learning and enabled networking beyond the meeting room. For example, it piloted one of the actions identified in the collective roadmap, bringing a group of agritourism entrepreneurs together into a production cluster to enhance their methods, improve product quality, and connect with neighbouring farms to supplement each other’s produce.It did so by linking them with agronomists, a local NGO called the Rural Association Support Programme (RASP), and a seed bank. The cluster members, located in the area of Permet, received training on sustainable farming practices, including reduced water and pesticide use, organic composting, and drip irrigation, and were supported to organise open days at their farms in a bid to seek clients collectively instead of individually.These open days were instrumental in establishing connections between rural suppliers and urban consumers, while raising awareness about sustainable farming and local plant varieties and food products.In another example, the SFS-MED project organized a study tour to the southern Puglia region of Italy, where Albanian agritourism entrepreneurs learned how their Italian colleagues combine organic farming with tourism, offering traditional cuisine based on locally sourced ingredients.The visit also included meetings with representatives from local Italian government and development agencies, who illustrated the importance of a conducive legislative and institutional environment to support collaboration between agritourism entrepreneurs. What is starting to change
For many participants, the local and national dialogues marked the first time they had come together to discuss agrifood systems. This motivated them to get out of their niche sectors and to envision new pathways to sustainable development.
“I learned that agritourism entrepreneurs need to act as guides for farmers in their area: how to produce, what to produce and when it will be needed. So, they should combine their business with the small family businesses around them,” comments Ceco from the ABA Centre.
“This happens already, but it’s sporadic; we must push this more as a business model because there is agritourism potential everywhere in Albania’s rural areas,” Ceco adds.
The Lile family farm and restaurant is an example of a virtuous leader in its local area, which is near the Bënja Thermal Baths in the Vjosa Wild River National Park.
The Liles grow their own fruit and vegetables and serve them in their highly successful country restaurant, which features traditional Albanian and Greek cuisine. The Liles also make wine, gliko, a traditional fruit preserve, and raki, a distilled liquor that is popular in the Balkans and the southern Mediterranean. Their guests hail from all over Albania as well as Italy, Germany, Russia, and the US.
“We buy products from other farmers – milk, cheese, potatoes, maybe eggs when we don’t have them,” recounts Fabja Lile, 18.
The Liles received support from RASP, which provided training on irrigation techniques, reducing pesticide use, composting, networking with other farmers, and increasing their visibility through labelling and showcasing their products in fairs.
“They helped us not just with material things like building a greenhouse so we can grow vegetables year-round – they also helped expand our minds,” Fabja says.
“Until this year, my parents ran their business all on their own. We didn’t know this kind of help was available. Now we are more hopeful, and more open to learning from other organizations.”
Another significant change is the recent establishment within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of an agritourism department tasked with liaising with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment to implement joint actions, for which the collective roadmap could become a backbone.Outlook for the future
The SFS-MED pilot activities have demonstrated that when smallholder farmers and agri-entrepreneurs adopt improved production and business practices and cooperate in clusters, they can access more profitable markets and offer safer, higher quality products.
The feedback from the field shows that these actors reacted very positively: their livelihoods improved, and their methods became more sustainable.
To support the ongoing transformation, there is a need for continued efforts to use a systems approach to connect stakeholders from different sectors and transcend silos, both at the policy level and in the field. This will require identifying champions with national and local visibility who can provide leadership and advocacy.
As well, conversations with the ministries and local funding agencies are ongoing to mobilise resources to implement some of the priorities in the collective roadmap. These include setting up clusters between the Tirana market and small agritourism farms offering safe, local products.
Another idea is to promote climate-smart, digitally connected pastoralism to safeguard mountain biodiversity and improve the lives of shepherds and their communities through tourist itineraries.About SFS-MED
The SFS-MED initiative 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 agrifood systems transformation in the Mediterranean. Its goal is to create a community to leverage and share the knowledge, experience and skills of agrifood systems actors across the Mediterranean region as they implement regional, national and local efforts to transform to more sustainable food systems.Funded by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, SFS-MED is a partnership between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM), the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), and the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA). It is an affiliated project of the One Planet Network SFS Programme. [1] INSTAT. Tourism in Figures Albania 2021. https://www.instat.gov.al/media/11112/tourism-in-figures-albania-2021.pdf[2] USAID. Fact Sheet: Support for Tourism Development. https://2017-2020.usaid.gov/albania/news-information/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-support-tourism-development [3] INSTAT March 2024. https://www.instat.gov.al/en/themes/industry-trade-and-services/tourism…[4] https://euronews.al/en/albania-outperforms-all-european-countries-in-ov…[5] INSTAT. produkti-i-brendshm-bruto-final-2019-dhe-gjysm-final-2020.pdf[6] Tregu I Punes 2020. http://www.instat.gov.al/media/8293/njoftim-per-media-tregu-i-punes-202…[7] FAO. Smallholder and Family Farms in Albania. Table 17. Categorization of farm type and size. AUTHOR ESTIMATE BASED ON MAFCP, 2012
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Story
12 March 2024
Step by step: Albanian textile and footwear factories improve productivity and working conditions
After successfully establishing practices that led to safer and healthier working conditions for about 2,500 workers in fifteen different enterprises, the ILO is now aiming at achieving decent work and more sustainable production in Albanian SMEs.In the framework of the United Nations Joint Project “Business Partnerships & Solutions for Sustainable Development Goals” funded by the Swedish Government, the ILO has been supporting textile and footwear enterprises in improving productivity and working conditions since 2022. The ILO assistance contributed to promoting decent work and gender equality and to achieving cleaner and more sustainable production patterns in companies, with a view to enabling Albanian SMEs to participate in global supply chains. Overall, the project aimed to help enterprises adopt production processes and practices to accelerate their contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).In the past 25 years, Albania’s dynamic private sector drove the transition that brought the country to middle-income status. Albania is a small open economy and relies on the production of goods and services that make extensive use of natural resources, especially water, and of semi-skilled labour. The country needs an engaged private sector that takes a long-term social responsibility approach to create productive employment, strengthen markets, and build a sustainable society. SDGs provide a a solid framework to rethink the present and future role of the private sector.Albanian companies currently have low awareness of their impact on the environment and society at large. Making long-term choices towards increased economic, social and environmental sustainability can give them a strategic advantage in the future, especially at a time of rising energy prices and climate crisis, high inflation, shortages of raw materials and skilled workers, and of having to fulfil the EU integration requirements. Combined with reforms of business and trade regulation at the national level, for instance with regards to exports, recycling and traceability, sustainability can contribute to increasing the resilience of Albanian companies and support their sustainable growth over time.The overall objective of the ILO project has been to raise awareness among private sector actors about the SDGs, how businesses benefit from them and can contribute to their implementation in Albania. In addition to offering a wealth of expertise and innovation, businesses can help mobilize much needed capital in support of the SDGs.The project has been relying on the Swedish experience. Sweden has been at the frontline of efforts to link the SDGs with the work of the private sector and has established itself internationally as a model.The ILO implemented the Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) Programme to help SMEs improve working conditions and processes in Albania, aligning with SDG Goals 5, 8, 9 and 12.In the first phase of the project (January 2022 to December 2023), thirty-eight textile, clothing, leather and footwear (TCLF) companies established enterprise improvement teams, trained in SCORE Basics, consisting of advice in introducing or upgrading processes to improve the work flow, reducing energy consumption and materials waste, conducting systematic analyses of defect causes, expand the usage of Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) as well as on the distribution of productivity gains to workers through better working conditions.A total of fifteen enterprises (20 per cent of which owned by women), employing 2,498 workers, successfully implemented the SCORE Basics improvement action plans. Among the changes implemented, 60 per cent of the companies established or activated an Occupational safety and health committee, 53 per cent started analyzing work-related risks by using proper risk assessments and 80 per cent performed a root cause analysis of accidents (see figure 1). In addition, based on findings that a close relationship exists between workers’ satisfaction and productivity, three-quarters of enterprises invested in improving the workplace environment, compared to only 20 per cent before the training. Another leap forward is the adoption of the “5S tool ”, a five-step process that can improve the overall functioning of a business. The tool (5S: Sort; Systematic arrangement; Scrub; Standardize; Sustain) is now implemented in all trained enterprises, compared to none before training. As for quality control, there was an increase in collecting customer feedback, establishing quality policy, from 40 per cent before the training to 60 per cent after. Additionally, enterprises applying a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) increased from 20 per cent to 73 per cent.80 per cent of trained SMEs report reduction in absenteeism as a result of the SCORE training and 67 per cent report reduction on the labour turnover (see figure 2). 93 per cent of enterprises reported increase in productivity, while the average reduction in rework was 33,33 per cent for the trained enterprises. The energy consumption was reduced on average by 14,74 per cent and the amount of waste produced reduced on average by 49 per cent. These excellent results were enabled by a local team of SCORE Certified Trainers. In 2023, the number of SCORE trainers expanded to thirteen in Albania, out of whom seven specialized in human resources’ management and occupational safety and health at the workplace, and six on quality management and cleaner production. Six local SCORE trainers improved their capacities in delivering the SCORE Gender Equality Module to companies, which is a great development considering that women workers are overrepresented in the overall workforce in the TCLF sector (95 per cent).The Swedish Government will continue supporting a second phase of the United Nations Joint Project “Business Partnerships and Solutions for SDGs”, running until 2027. Its goal is to raise awareness among Albanian companies about the SDGs and to support businesses in becoming more sustainable by improving working conditions and processes. Going forward, the project will assist enterprises to restructure production, streamline processes, eliminate waste, and optimize the use of technology and human resource and improving the working conditions in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the EU Green Agenda.The project is funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and implemented by UNDP, FAO, ILO and UNIDO in Albania.
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Story
07 March 2024
Invest in Women: A joint message by the UN and EU Delegation in Albania on International Women's Day 2024
Over the past decades, women and girls around the world have demolished barriers, dismantled stereotypes and driven progress towards more just and equal societies. Women’s rights were recognised as fundamental and universal human rights. Hundreds of millions more girls are in classrooms around the world. And female leaders have smashed glass ceilings across public and private spaces. Globally, the fight for women’s rights over the past fifty years is a story of progress. But the global pandemic and recent setbacks have put progress under threat, and full equality remains light years away. Albania has made significant achievements towards empowering women and reducing gender-based discrimination, in health and education, in the labour market, and in terms of leadership, participation and representation. In its recent review of the country, the UN Committee on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), recognized the overall robustness of the country’s legal and policy framework on gender equality. But it also recommended specific measures to ensure that equality in the law translates into practical substantive improvements in empowerment of women. The Committee called for strengthening women access to justice, to eliminate existing stereotypes and harmful practices, upscale efforts to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence, of trafficking and exploitation of women. It also urged Albania to protect and empower women who are victims of intersecting forms of discrimination, because of their social or economic status, their sexual orientation or gender identity, or their different physical or mental abilities. Such recommendations are fully aligned with the spirit and the objectives of the EU Gender Action Plan and with the specific recommendations the EU has addressed to Albania in the context of the accession process. Prioritizing gender equality responds to the key values of the EU, and building national capacities to address such priorities across all sectors of government will sustain the country’s path towards EU accession.To accelerate progress on the achievement of gender targets in the Sustainable Development Goals, expanding financial investments will be critical: investing in women is not only a moral imperative, but also the smart thing to do to accelerate Albania’s economic growth. On this International Women’s Day, both the UN and the EU stand in solidarity with all women in Albania. Our vision for a gender equal Albania is clear. As we celebrate the power and potential of all women, we call on institutions, civil society, businesses, and citizens - together - to support this cause.
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Story
15 January 2024
Delivering for Development Newsletter | Issue 33 | October-December 2023
Welcome to the 33rd edition of our Delivering for Development newsletter and 'Gëzuar Vitin e Ri!'. We start the year by issuing our regular roundup of news, stories, videos, and publications delivered by UN Agencies in Albania in the last few months of 2023.
Highlights of this issue include the outstanding program of actions to raise awareness about gender-based violence, the 16 Days of Activism campaign coordinated by UN Women. Closing the year on a positive note, Sweden committed USD 4 million to the Albania SDG Acceleration Fund, emphasizing sustainable business practices and private sector awareness of the SDGs, while UNDP in Albania actively engaged businesses in fostering sustainability and workplace diversity, and UNIDO helped run the 1st National Forum on Quality and Standards in Albania. As well as reflecting back on the events of UN Week.
Other highlights: IOM celebrated their 30th Anniversary in Albania. UNFPA organized events to promote tolerance, harmony, and coexistence, and UNOPS inaugurated newly renovated cultural sites under the EU4Culture program.
UNICEF emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation to prevent juvenile delinquency, the WHO focused on raising vaccination awareness, and FAO continued to play a pivotal role in promoting sustainable production and agrifood system development.
These activities spotlight the UN's multifaceted support to advance Albania’s development and human rights. We appreciate the excellent collaborative efforts with Albanian authorities and international partners for a resilient and inclusive future for the country.
We wish you a pleasant read and good health and happiness in 2024.
Fiona McCluney
Resident Coordinator
United Nations Albania You can access the #Delivering4Development Newsletter here
Resident Coordinator
United Nations Albania You can access the #Delivering4Development Newsletter here
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Story
29 December 2023
Empowering Refugee Livelihoods in Albania
Forced to flee their homes due to persecution, conflict, or violence, refugees from places like Syria and Afghanistan strive to rebuild their lives in Albania. Their goal is usually to find a job to support their families and also contribute to their new communities in Albania.
Despite having the legal right to work in Albania, refugees still encounter various challenges when navigating the job market, similar to those faced when settling in a new place. These challenges include learning the language, searching for jobs, preparing for interviews, developing skills, networking, and understanding financial matters.
To empower refugees in overcoming challenges, there's now a programme to guide them in finding and succeeding in jobs. It's a job coaching program, rolled out through a partnership between UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and Refugee and Migrant Services in Albania (RMSA), a local NGO providing assistance to refugees in accessing rights and services.
The job coaching programme has two main goals: to empower refugees in their job search and to empower the practitioners supporting them in this process.
Refugees enrolled in the program receive a comprehensive guidance document covering all aspects of getting a job in Albania. They also receive in-person training to boost their skills for a successful job search. At the same time, practitioners get access to tools and resources to more effectively guide refugees on this job search journey.
Refugees, through the guide, have access to practical information and resources, enabling them to confidently navigate the complexities of the job market in Albania. The guide covers crucial areas such as how to get work permits, search for jobs, write a resume, prepare for interviews, develop skills, understand finances, and learn about local culture in Albania.
"This guide is becoming our go-to resource. It doesn't just help us understand work permits and legal rights; it also guides us in identifying industries with the potential for success," mentions Leila.
Alongside the guide, refugees go through a personalized assessment to discover their strengths and areas for improvement. They receive personal coaching to boost their job-seeking skills and present themselves well to potential employers. This coaching includes creating strong cover letters, improving resumes, and succeeding in job interviews. Additionally, they receive individual coaching to refine their soft skills, essential for both professional and personal interactions.
Looking back on the experience, Ahmed shares, "I learned how to make a good resume and got tips for talking and interviewing well. The personal assessment helped me see where I'm good and where I can do better. I am really more confident and ready for the job market".
At the same time, practitioners from the NGO go through specific training to enhance their skills in effectively supporting refugees. This training equips practitioners with an extensive array of tools and resources, including but not limited to training manuals, online job databases, language learning materials, resume templates, interview preparation resources, networking guidance, financial literacy materials, cultural sensitivity training, and materials dedicated to honing soft skills.
Sharing the experience, Artur, a practitioner from RMSA, the local NGO, mentions, "This programme has made a big difference, helping me better assist refugees with confidence as they work towards finding jobs in Albania."
The job coaching programme has been recently completed by the first group of refugees and practitioners. Acknowledging it is early for concrete success stories, the programme is optimistic that these stories will unfold as refugees start applying the enhanced skills they gained.
Note:
To uphold confidentiality, pseudonyms are used for the mentioned refugees and practitioners in this story.
For refugees interested in learning more about the program and its services, please contact Refugee and Migrant Services in Albania (RMSA) at rmsa.org@gmail.com or +355 69 2666 267 (Arabic / Albanian) and +355 69 8120 836 (English / Albanian).
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Press Release
03 April 2024
Addressing data gaps will help Albania improve access to water and sanitation for vulnerable and marginalized communities
Guaranteeing safe access to drinking water and sanitation remains a challenge in the pan-European region, with 16 million people still lacking access to basic drinking water services and over 29 million people not having access to basic sanitation, including hundreds of thousands who have to practice open defecation. The Summary Progress Report on SDG 6 – water and sanitation for all – hence, calls for countries to quadruple the rate of progress to achieve the targets. At the current rate, countries will only achieve safe water and sanitation for all by the 22nd century. Albania, under the leadership of the Water Resources Management Agency (AMBU) and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and with the support of UNECE, has thus initiated a comprehensive assessment to create a baseline measure of equity to water and sanitation, applying the draft revised Equitable Access Score-card developed under the UNECE-WHO/Europe Protocol on Water and Health. This marks a significant step in the country’s efforts to ensure equitable access to safe drinking water and sanitation for all. Carrying out this self-assessment exercise was also one of Albania's commitments to the Water Action Agenda under the 2023 UN Water Conference. Lack of data on vulnerable and marginalized communities remains a challenge The preliminary findings of the self-assessment were presented and discussed with a broad range of stakeholders from government, municipalities, water and sanitation service providers, civil society organizations, and development partners at the Findings workshop on equitable access to water and sanitation in Albania (Tirana, 27 March 2024), highlighting a data gap on vulnerable and marginalized communities and hence reflecting the overall pan-European trend. Despite a comprehensive governance framework to ensure access to water and sanitation for all with strategies in place, various challenges remain, particularly concerning the affordability of water and sanitation services for the poorest part of the population, the effective application of national strategies at the local level; and the need for further institutional coordination and integrated approach to equity in access to water and sanitation. Consequently, participants discussed potential solutions and recommendations to ensure equitable access to water and sanitation more effectively, through targeted outreach programmes to identify, assess, and address specific water needs of vulnerable and marginalized communities, including low-income households, rural populations, and minority groups. The workshop outcomes will feed into the finalization of the country report, which will be published on the Protocol's webpage. Ms. Fiona McCluney, UN Resident Coordinator to Albania, emphasized the significance of the assessment, highlighting that its outcomes could be aligned to global and regional processes such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and obligations arising from the EU Directives on water and sanitation, or the European Environment and Health process. Self-assessment exercise lays the foundation for targeted measures Ms. Gerta Lubonja, General Director of AMBU, highlighted that the Score-card assessment will guide Albania in implementing evidence-based policies and interventions to drive action on access to water and sanitation, particularly for marginalized and vulnerable communities. Albania reaffirmed its commitment to the Protocol on Water and Health and its efforts to ensure equitable access to water and sanitation services for all its citizens, and to continued collaboration with international development partners to address challenges identified in an integrated way and achieve the shared goal of realizing the human rights to water and sanitation. Under the Protocol, several guidance documents and practical tools have been developed to assist countries and other concerned stakeholders in driving action on the water, sanitation, hygiene, and health agenda, in line with global and regional processes such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the European Union Directives, particularly the Drinking Water Directive recast, which emphasizes the need to ensure safe access to water and sanitation for vulnerable and marginalized communities.
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Press Release
25 March 2024
"Yes! We can end TB": World Tuberculosis Day marked in Albania
With a global focus on investing in TB control, adopting the latest WHO recommendations, embracing innovation, and engaging civil society, efforts in the European Region aim at early detection, provision of preventive treatments, access to rapid diagnostics, and implementing effective oral regimens with person-centered services.Despite Albania's low TB incidence, the emphasis remains on increasing case detection in at-risk groups and prevention aligned with WHO recommendations, targeting person-centered primary care services to achieve national plan targets and the #EndTB by 2030 goal.Discussions at the event highlighted the importance of operationalizing new guidelines, strengthening primary healthcare, community engagement, preparing for the absence of Global Fund support in 2025, applying modern diagnostic technology, and enhancing the role of TB Lab References.
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Press Release
25 March 2024
UNHCR strengthens its support for refugees and asylum-seekers in Albania
Increasingly around the world, mixed movements occur where refugees and migrants travel along the same routes across land and sea borders. Refugees are specifically defined and protected in international law. These are individuals who have fled their homes to escape persecution, conflict, violence, serious human rights violations or other events seriously disturbing public order, and who seek safety in another country. As a result, they require “international protection” from another country, where their own country of origin is unable or willing to protect them. Such mixed movements in the Western Balkans are generally comprised of people who have previously transited through a number of countries, including European Union (EU) Member States where they could have sought international protection (and in some instances, may have been granted international protection). Many are compelled to move onward when faced with delays in asylum procedures and/or lack of local integration prospects. Others may intend to join family members in other EU countries or even for perceived better living conditions elsewhere. A UNHCR partner staff, counselling new arrivals on the Albanian border about asylum procedures, shares the following narrative from a Syrian refugee:‘I'm from Idlib, Syria. When war started in Syria in 2011, I was 16 years old. One day, while I was around my father’s shop, there was a bombing and that is the day I lost my father. I left on a boat journey with many others on a cold day. I left my wife and daughter with my family, hoping they could join me in a safer place later. The journey was hard and scary. I'm not sure what will happen on this journey, but my dream is to find a safe place.’In 2023, according to UNHCR protection monitoring data, 4,307 persons arrived at Albania’s borders in mixed movements. This is almost half the number from 2022. More than half came from countries such Afghanistan and Syrian Arab Republic, making up 21% and 20% of the arrivals respectively. Even though fewer people arrived in 2023, the percentage of people who were referred to the asylum process by Albanian authorities increased to 6.5%, up from 2% in 2022. This shows how important it is to have robust asylum systems in place, even during periods of fewer arrivals, to ensure that individuals seeking international protection can access the asylum procedures efficiently.The legal framework in Albania has made notable progress towards aligning with international and EU standards. However, as with any evolving system, there are opportunities for further enhancement. This includes improving the safeguards in the preliminary screening process to help identify new arrivals in need of protection, better implementing referral mechanisms, particularly for individuals with specific needs, and advancing the professional knowledge and skills of practitioners.The Strategy for UNHCR Engagement in Mixed Movement in the Western Balkans is the guiding framework for the UNHCR’s work in Albania. This strategy outlines how UNHCR supports national authorities in the Western Balkans in managing the mixed movements to ensure those in need can access international protection and necessary services efficiently. In Albania, the focus of UNHCR's support includes: i) providing communities with information on asylum procedures and available services, ii) offering technical support to relevant local authorities in identifying individuals with specific needs, and iii) strengthening the capacities of relevant local authorities. UNHCR partners, Caritas Albania and People’s Advocate, are present at entry points on the border. They provide information to communities in a language they understand. This ensures that anyone who wishes to seek asylum or has specific needs can access relevant and updated information about asylum procedures and available services.The following is a statement from an Afghan family of six, conveyed to a UNHCR partner staff on the border, after being counselled on their rights and referred to the asylum process.’ I’m here with my family - my wife and our four precious children, three boys and a girl. We were forced to leave Afghanistan due to ethnic discrimination. Over the last three years, we’ve had to cross many borders. I’ve agreed to work in numerous precarious jobs, all to provide for my family. We’re just seeking a chance to fit in and build a safer life.’Through its field presence and partner staff, UNHCR supports the Albanian Border and Migration Police in identifying individuals with specific needs, including people with disabilities and unaccompanied or separated children. This collaboration ensures proactive identification and support for these individuals, using prevention and response mechanisms available through public institutions and UNHCR’s NGO partner, Refugee and Migrant Services in Albania (RMSA). The support provided includes services such as medical care, legal assistance, housing, and education.UNHCR strengthens the capacities of the Border and Migration Police, by providing training and resources. Recent initiatives like the series of workshops organized by the Frontex Fundamental Rights Office in collaboration with UNHCR and the European Union Agency for Asylum, aim to enhance the understanding of international protection and asylum procedures. Central to UNHCR’s engagement is its collaboration and partnership with the relevant national authorities at various levels, including EU agencies, and local NGOs. A notable example of this collaboration is the ‘IPA III Regional support to protection-sensitive migration management in Western Balkans and Turkey’ project. In Albania, UNHCR collaborates with European Union Agency for Asylum, Frontex, and Internatioanl Organization for Migration as part of this EU-funded multi-country programme.Moving forward, strengthening collaboration with the relevant authorities at all levels and other partners to ensure efficient access to asylum procedures for individuals seeking international remains key to UNHCR. At the Global Refugee Forum 2023, Albania pledged to decentralizing asylum procedures and ensuring high-quality asylum decisions. UNHCR will persist in its support to fulfil these pledges.
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Press Release
25 March 2024
Fostering Respiratory Surveillance: A Collaborative Workshop in Albania
Recognizing the intricate nature of respiratory virus surveillance akin to assembling a mosaic, the WHO Respiratory Surveillance Mosaic Framework was developed through extensive consultations with member states and regions.Participants, including representatives from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the Institute of Public Health, University Hospitals, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and international experts, contributed to deepening knowledge on enhancing respiratory virus surveillance during sessions held from March 4 to 14, 2024.The workshop focused on identifying shortcomings in surveillance systems and outlining actions to strengthen them, such as detecting and assessing emerging respiratory viruses, monitoring epidemiological characteristics, and utilizing data for epidemic or pandemic preparedness.
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Press Release
06 March 2024
Explore Albania's Development with our Interactive Data Snapshot
Powered by Power BI, this tool offers an unparalleled look into Albania's economic, social, and environmental data, along with achievements and dynamics related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With its user-friendly design, the Dashboard allows for personalized exploration through customizable filters, letting you focus on the specific years, sectors, or SDG achievements that interest you most. Organized into several intuitive tabs, it starts with a general overview, progresses through the four Outcome areas of the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2022-2026 for Albania, and concludes with a detailed look at SDG progress.All data presented is publicly available and sourced from credible institutions, compiled here for easy access, use, and quick analysis. As such, UN Albania is not endorsing any of the sources or numbers, but rather pooling them together for ease of access, use, graphical representation, and quick analysis potential. We've designed this tool not just to inform but to inspire deeper insights into Albania's development path. We invite you to start your exploration today and uncover the numerous, insightful ways Albania's publicly available data is presented. For further information, please contact Aljaz Kuncic, RCO Economist, at kuncic@un.org.
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