Albania
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Tirana, 14 June 2012 – A National Consultation Workshop was organized today in Tirana to launch the stocktaking report for Albania to United Nation Conference on Sustainable Development, known colloquially as RIO+20. The event was organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Water Administration (MEFWA) and UNDP Albania in cooperation with UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).
At the Rio+20 Conference, that will be organized in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil world leaders Heads of State and Governments along with thousands of participants from private sector, NGOs and other groups, will come together to shape how we can reduce poverty, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection on an ever more crowded planet to get to the future we want. The Conference will result in a focused political document.
The Albanian Stocktaking Report to RIO+20 presented in today`s event contains reviews of strategic documents such as national strategies, action plans, laws and multilateral agreements, etc. and outcomes of consultations/interviews with national stakeholders in line ministries and other central and local government institutions, civil society, international organizations operating in Albania, etc. The report provides an assessment of the level of achievement of sustainable development objectives in Albania. Moreover reflections are provided regarding Albania prospect to green economy, the main challenges of Albania related to sustainable development such as ensuring better living conditions and addressing environmental pressures that, if not tackled, will undermine the country`s ability to achieve economic growth. Amongst others it is highlighted that the solution to these challenges should come without compromising growth, but rather generating sustainable economic opportunities for the business community and individuals alike. This approach constitutes in establishment of the proper regulatory framework, creation of strong incentives for markets and innovation, leveraging financial resources, and promoting entrepreneurship and greater public private partnership.
According to the report Albania`s Ecological Footprint (human demand on Earth services) is 1,91 global ha/person and the country`s ecological debtor is 0,11 gha/person. This means that if everyone in the world consumed like Albania then the Ecological Footprint would be 1.02 Planets. Thus the pressure of human activity in Albania is around three times lower compared to an EU country.
Ms. Zineb Touimi-Benjelloun, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, who attended the event, amongst others highlighted: As a middle-income country, Albania faces many development challenges requiring the incorporation of social and environmental sustainability in national planning processes, ensuring effective synergies between specific sector policies and creating a unique and integrated development approach. Such development is guided by the Government`s vision and policies, which will ensure integrated development in both rural and urban areas while also supporting environmental protection.
Participants at the event also discussed the gaps and challenges with respect to provision of resources for building national capacities, implementing legislative requirements, and financing necessary environmental and social infrastructures. In the above regard the Government`s role was deemed crucial in integrating sustainable development in local and national levels as part of a wider political agenda and in line with EU requirements.
Photo: Mr. Taulant Bino, Deputy Minister of Environment, Forests and Water Administration, Mr. Fatmir Mediu, Minister of Environment, Forests and Water Administration and Mrs. Zineb Touimi-Benjelloun, United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative.
To view the speech of UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative please click here.
For more information please contact:
Nora Kushti
UNDP Communications Manager
nora.kushti@undp.org
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