Jaupaj said the agreement would bring IUCN expertise directly into Albania’s EU integration efforts under Chapter 27, Environment and Climate Change, helping the Environment Ministry meet the chapter’s closing benchmarks.

The agreement also provides for closer alignment with the EU acquis and the development of concrete projects to protect nature and biodiversity and restore ecosystems, he said.

Jaupaj described the deal as a new partnership for Albania’s natural heritage.

“Since Albania joined IUCN as a state member in 2024, cooperation with the international organisation has intensified, benefiting from its world-class technical expertise,” he said.

The agreement represents another step towards European environmental standards and the protection of Albania’s natural resources for future generations, Jaupaj said.

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