ATA News

Vjosa River in UNESCO world assets list, Kumbaro: Application file ready within current year

TIRANA, April 24/ATA/ Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro announced the start of work on inclusion of the Vjosa River in the list of world assets protected by UNESCO, under the “Man and Biosphere” program.

Kumbaro met the UNESCO delegation that has arrived in Tirana and which will follow the preparation of the application file.

“Delighted to receive the UNESCO team at the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, with whom we are starting the work for inclusion of the Vjosa River in the list of world assets through the “Man and Biosphere” program,” Kumbaro wrote.

According to her, it is this global program that aims to create a scientific basis to improve the relationship between people and environments where they live, for sustainable development that protects the environment.

“We expect an intensive work ahead in preparation of the application file, which the Ministry of Tourism and Environment and the National Agency of Protected Areas will submit to the UNESCO within the current year, to give another international passport to the queen of European rivers and to add another Albanian jewel to the UNESCO list”, said Kumbaro.

Vjosa was declared a National Park in March 2023. Earlier, UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay visited the Vjosa River at the invitation of Minister Kumbaro with the aim of including it in the list of sites protected by UNESCO, evaluating as one of the last wild rivers in Europe and the first National Park of a wild river.

The preparation of the application form is a long process according to the standards of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and Albania will be assisted by the “Man and Biosphere” program team./