During her two-day visit to Albania, UN Assistant Secretary-General Mirjana Špoljarić Egger met with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama to discuss, among other things, the work of UNDP in support of the Albanian government’s efforts for reconstruction and recovery, the country’s development priorities and the EU accession process.

Egger also met with the Minister of Finance and Economy, Delina Ibrahimaj. The two put the emphasis on the partnership between the Government of Albania and UNDP to draft a National Strategy regarding the mobilization of funds for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as the strategic assistance provided by UNDP in the sector of skills development, in partnership and with funding from the Government of Switzerland.

In the meeting with UNDP’s International Development Partners in Albania, Egger expressed her gratitude for their joint commitment to development in Albania.

Discussions focused on ways to strengthen cooperation and importance of diverse and broad-based partnerships for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the country.

During her stay in our country, the UNDP Regional Director saw first-hand the impact of the organization on development on the ground and interacted with partners at the local level.

Together with Minister of Education and Sports, Evis Kushi, and the Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Albania, Hubert Perr, Egger inaugurated the school “Gjergj Kastrioti” in Bilaj, Kruja municipality.
This school is one of more than 60 educational facilities that are being built back in the context of the EU Program for Schools, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP. All buildings are being built back according to European standards through a combination of “Build Back Better” and “Build Back Together” approaches.

Egger also visited the construction site of the school and kindergarten “Iliria” in the same municipality, where UNDP through funding from the Croatian Government, is building back school and kindergarten buildings, which were destroyed by the 2019 earthquake. At the beginning of the new academic year, 156 students and 14 teaching staff members will return to this school.

Egger also visited small businesses supported by UNDP through its internationally tested “In Motion” methodology, which helps small businesses affected by the November 2019 earthquake to revitalize their economic activities. Participating businesses have reported an increase in their profits since then. UNDP expanded its support to include more businesses from other quake-hit municipalities through the Economic Recovery and Sustainability Program funded by the Governments of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

Egger paid a visit to the Divjakë-Karavasta National Park, one of Albania’s Protected Areas, where with GEF funding, UNDP supports the Ministry of Tourism and Environment to improve the management of the National Park and increase the revenue generated from economic and ecotourism activities.

This park houses the Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center, the only one in the country and the first in the Balkans, where injured birds from Albania and neighboring countries are treated. UNDP also monitors the nesting and breeding places of the Dalmatian Pelican colony for study purposes.

During her stay in Albania, the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations visited the Ancient Roman Amphitheater of Durrës and other archaeological sites accompanied by two young people, who were part of the project “Youth Guide for Durrës” supported by the Regional Program for Local Democracy (ReLOaD) funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP in Albania.

The second phase of the Program continues to put the emphasis on promoting youth engagement, empowerment and participation in local decision-making.

“Last year UNDP celebrated the 30th anniversary of its presence in Albania, where over the years we have walked side by side with the country and its citizens during the transition to democracy, strong institutions and sustainable communities. We assure our partners that UNDP will continue to offer its support in these critical times for sustainable human development,” said Egger.
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