UN Assistant Secretary-General Mirjana olpoljarić Egger concludes visit to Albania

During her two-day visit to Albania, the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mirjana olpoljarić Egger, held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Edi Rama to discuss, among other things, the work of UNDP in support of the efforts of the Albanian Government for reconstruction and recovery, for the country’s priorities for development and the EU membership process.

Mrs. Gerpoljarić Egger also met with the Minister of Finance and Economy, Mrs. Delina Ibrahimaj. Both emphasized 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 the international development partners of UNDP in Albania, Mrs. Špoljarić Egger conveyed her gratitude for their joint commitment to development in Albania. Discussions focused on ways to strengthen cooperation and the 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 with her own eyes the impact on the development of the organization on the ground and had the opportunity to interact with partners at the local level.

Together with the Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs. Evis Kushi and the Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Albania, Mr. Hubert Perr, Mrs. Špoljarić Egger inaugurated the school “Gjergj Kastrioti” in Bilaj, Municipality of Kruja. This school is one of more than 60 educational institutions that are being reconstructed or repaired in the context of the EU Program for Schools, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP. All buildings are being rebuilt or rehabilitated to the highest European standards through a combination of “Rebuild Better” and “Rebuild Together” approaches.

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

Mrs. Špoljarić 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.

Mrs. Špoljarić Egger also paid a visit to the Divjakë-Karavasta National Park, one of the Protected Areas of Albania, where with GEF funding, UNDP supports the Ministry of Tourism and Environment to improve the management of the National Park and increase revenues. generated by economic and ecotourism activities. This Park is the place where the Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center is located, the only one in the country and the first in the Balkans, where injured birds from Albania and neighboring countries stay and are treated. UNDP also monitors the burial sites 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 place 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 guarantee our partners that UNDP will continue to offer its support in these critical times for sustainable human development,” said Ms. Olpoljarić Egger.

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