Tirana, Albania, January 27 – Over the past two days, the city of Tirana hosted one of the most significant events concerning the future of Protected Areas in Albania: The Protected Area Forum. More than 100 attendees, including esteemed authorities, dedicated park rangers, insightful experts, and influential leaders, gathered to discuss, share, and strategize for the Protected Areas of Albania.
PAF’s primary objective is to be a platform for discourse and shape the future of these crucial environmental spaces. The forum was driven by the urgent need to enable practitioners, researchers, academics, the private sector, potential donors, and the invaluable local communities who manage or support these areas to exchange experiences. The focus was also on understanding the various factors that impact protected areas, from human activity to climate change and policies undertaken so far by public authorities.
One of the forum’s core outcomes was identifying and formulating national priorities for effective protected area management. This wasn’t just about short-term gains or immediate solutions. The goal was to look at a long-term, sustainable strategy that ensures the protection and growth of these areas for generations to come.
A significant highlight of the forum was the emphasis on the role of the protected areas in addressing some of the most pressing challenges we face today. From biodiversity loss to climate change impacts, protected areas are often at the frontline, acting as the first line of defense. It is imperative, therefore, to place them at the center of any comprehensive solution to these issues.
The culmination of the forum was the much-awaited ‘Call to Action.’ This was more than a mere statement; it was a Declaration of the Protected Areas. It aimed to galvanize strategic support from various sectors and emphasize the dire need for effective coordination. Without unified efforts, the strategic importance of protected areas could be easily overshadowed. The forum results promise a brighter, better-managed future for Albania’s Protected Areas. Stay tuned to this space to keep abreast of developments post-forum and learn how you can play a part in the protection and elevation of Albania’s natural wonders.
This activity was developed within Green-AL, a project funded by the Swedish International Cooperation and Development Agency (SIDA) with funding from the Swedish Government and implemented by Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development in collaboration with CISP Sviluppo dei Popoli , VIS Albania and COSV – Cooperazione per lo Sviluppo.