The announcement was made by the Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mirela Kumbaro, who shared highlights from the meeting held at “inNature” — the exhibition space of the National Agency of Protected Areas, located at the Pyramid — through her social media channels.

“We reconvened to share positive developments — this time to assess the progress of the initiative to designate Lake Shkodra as a Transboundary UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The project has now entered the final phase of preparing the joint nomination dossier between Albania and Montenegro,” stated Minister Kumbaro.

Minister Kumbaro emphasized that “the inclusion of Lake Shkodra in the UNESCO framework—recognized as an ecosystem of exceptional value—alongside the forthcoming designation of the Vjosa River under UNESCO’s ‘Man and the Biosphere’ Programme, significantly enhances Albania’s standing in environmental diplomacy, supports the sustainable development of local communities, and fosters cross-border cooperation in the sustainable management of shared ecosystems.”
This project aims to deliver a positive impact on local communities by creating new opportunities for sustainable development, in accordance with UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme.

Should Lake Shkodra be designated as a protected area by UNESCO, it will benefit from higher management standards and strengthened cooperation between the two states.

Lake Shkodra is the largest lake in the Balkan Peninsula, situated along the border between Albania and Montenegro. It is regarded as one of the most important tourist centers in the region.

This lake is also one of the richest areas in Europe in terms of biodiversity, boasting a diverse range of fish and waterbird species. In the 2025 International Waterbird Census, Lake Shkodra ranked second with a total of 23,899 individuals recorded across species.
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