Albania

Economic overview

UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2022-2026) 

UNECE is a signatory of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and contributes in particular to the following strategic priorities: 

• Outcome 1.1: By 2026, increased and more equitable investment in people, removing barriers and creating opportunities for those at risk of exclusion  

• Outcome 2.1: By 2026, innovative and integrated policy solutions accelerate sustainable, productive and inclusive economic development, enhancing climate change adaptation and mitigation and transition to a green and blue economy.  

• Outcome3.1: By 2026, governance is more transparent and accountable, enabling people to enjoy quality, inclusive services, enhanced rule of law and access to justice in line with Albania’s human rights commitments  

• Outcome 3.2: By 2026, gender responsive governance strengthens equality and non-discrimination, promotes women’s empowerment and human rights, and reduces violence against women and children. 

UNECE works in close cooperation with the Resident Coordinator and the United Nations Country Team. 

Key highlights

Energy  

UNECE guidelines for an efficient, safe and environmentally conscious mine closure will help the country monitor them regarding water hazards and other risks and reclaim and repurpose the land for human settlements or other economically and environmentally- sound uses (SDG7, SDG9, SDG11). 

A study on geothermal resources sheds light on the cost-effectiveness and potential benefits of utilizing geothermal energy, whereas a study on financing and investment opportunities in renewable energy maps the most important stakeholders and challenges (SDG7). 

UNECE has also completed Guidelines and Best Practices for Micro-, Small and Medium Enterprises in Albania in Delivering Energy-Efficient Products and Providing Renewable Energy Equipment. 

Environment  

Albania is a Party to 5 UNECE environmental agreements and several of their protocols. 

Under the Aarhus Convention, UNECE supports the country to strengthen the implementation of the Convention, the governance-human rights-environment nexus, and the development of its PRTR (SDG3, SDG13 and SDG15). 

Albania is a Party to the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution, and several of its Protocols. The country is invited to accede to the Protocols on Heavy Metals, Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and to Abate Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-level Ozone (Gothenburg Protocol) (SDG 3, SDG 11). 

UNECE has supported the transboundary water cooperation process in the Drin River Basin, shared by Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Greece, as well as on the Cijevna/Cem River, which is shared by Albania and Montenegro (SGD6).  

Forests 

Albania’s forest cover stands at 28.8%. UNECE supports the country in strengthening the forest sector in general, particularly the country’s policy framework on forest landscape restoration (SDG13 and SDG15).   

Albania has contributed to the recently released study on Forest Landscape Restoration in Eastern and South-East Europe.  

Gender equality 

The standards body of Albania has signed the Declaration on Gender-Responsive Standards and Standards Development (SDG 5).  

Statistics  

In cooperation with the Office of the Resident Coordinator in Albania, UNECE has completed project "Enhancing the collection and reporting of data to support evidence-based decision-making in the context of COVID-19 in Albania". 

Trade  

 Albania is invited to strengthen the use of UNECE and UN/CEFACT standards and tools on trade facilitation, in particular in its ongoing Single Window project (SDG8 and SDG9). 

There is an opportunity to accelerate circular economy transition by active participation in Circular STEP stakeholder engagement platform (SDG9 and SDG12). 

Transport 

Albania has acceded to 30 UN legal instruments on inland transport under the purview of UNECE.  

To further facilitate, simplify and automate border crossing procedures, Albania is invited to accede to the 2008 Additional Protocol to the CMR concerning the Electronic Consignment Note (e-CMR) and to connect its national custom system with the eTIR International System and operationalize eCMR (SDG8 and SDG9).  

The Albania Road Safety Performance Review identifies legislative gaps to be addressed on safer vehicles and the transport of dangerous goods (SDG3 and SDG11). 

Urban development   

UNECE is focused on assisting the Government to deal with the lack of access to affordable and decent housing, and with building cities’ resilience to earthquakes and heat waves. It is also ready to support the authorities in dealing with a considerable share of the urban population that lives in informal settlements.  

The Country Profile on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management: Albania identifies key trends and provides policy recommendations to support the country in addressing its challenges, namely with respect to re-balancing the country's regional development and regenerating cities through sustainable and long-term investments (SDG3, SDG11 and SDG13).