The United Nations and Albania have signed an agreement to continue collaboration for another five years, in addition to the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2022-2026.
Marking its 76th anniversary, UN Resident Coordinator Fiona McCluney signed the framework with Albania’s Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj in Tirana this week.
The signing ceremony took place in the Palace of Brigades. It was attended by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the UN Office in Albania, and key development partners.
The framework aims to strengthen governance and focus on other critical priorities like EU membership and meeting the national commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Agenda by 2030. Different verticals include health, quality education, the rule of law, public service delivery, and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A total of $282 million will be invested between 2022 and the end of the cycle.
Ahmetaj praised the cooperation between the UN and Albania.
“As we complete a successful cycle of joint work with UN agencies in Albania, we are ready to renew our commitment to sustainable development.”
Resident Coordinator McCluney reiterated the critical focus points of their work.
“At the heart of our joint action is our commitment to fighting poverty, promoting human rights and gender equality, protecting the environment and tackling climate change and supporting economic and social reforms,” she said.
UNDP recently celebrated 30 years of its presence in Albania. They produced a video highlighting all the union’s achievements between the agency and the Albanian government during that time.
These achievements included connecting government institutions to the internet, clearing mines, and demilitarizing parts of the country following 1997s civil unrest.
