TIRANA, July 8 /ATA/ – Albania and whole Western Balkan region host rich biodiversity, including many threatened, rare and endemic species, and relatively large unspoiled ecosystems.
“From nature we get food and water, energy and medicine, climate regulation support, and disaster risk mitigation, among other benefits. As we celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity, there is a need to recognise the value and place nature at the heart of the regional policy, stressed members of the Biodiversity Task Force of South East Europe during the online consultations on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, held on May 2020.
The Greener Agenda for the Western Balkans is expected to be endorsed by the relevant authorities before autumn 2020.
The recent pandemic is clearly proving the dependence of our wellbeing and livelihoods on the state of nature. Looking for ways to revive our economy after the COVID-19 forced break, we have the opportunity to rethink this relationship.
“By combining our efforts through the Biodiversity Task Force of Southeast Europe, we can advance regional conservation efforts and work together to achieve sustainable biodiversity use. Healthy nature and conserved biodiversity are vital for the economic recovery of our society,” said Shpresa Harasani, the Albanian member of the Biodiversity Task Force of Southeast Europe representing the Ministry of Tourism and Environment.
“We stand ready to help shape the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, engaging in the process the Biodiversity Task Force equipped with required technical expertise and experience for this task,” said Ms. Tanja Miščević, Deputy Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council opening the consultations with European Commission Directorates General (DG) in charge of the process, DG NEAR and DG Environment, and moderated by the Regional Cooperation Council.
EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, a comprehensive plan for protecting nature and reversing the degradation of ecosystems, published as part of the European Green Deal will help shape the Agenda. The Strategy is set to establish protected areas for at least 30% of both land and sea in Europe, restore degraded ecosystems and unlock 20 billion EUR/year for biodiversity through various sources, including EU funds, national and private funding.
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