Mirela Kumbaro, Minister of Tourism and Environment, has announced the commencement of work to include Vjosa on UNESCO’s list of world assets protected under the “Man and the Biosphere” program.
Kumbaro met with the UNESCO delegation in Tirana to discuss the preparation of the application file.
“I was delighted to host the UNESCO team at the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, where we are starting the work for the inclusion of Vjosa in the list of world assets through the “Man and the Biosphere” programme. This global programme is designed to create a scientific basis to improve the relationship between people and the nature they live in, for sustainable development that protects the environment. “We have an intensive work schedule ahead of us in the preparation of the application file, which the Ministry of Tourism and Environment and the National Agency of Protected Areas will submit to UNESCO within this year. This will give another international passport to the queen of European rivers and add another Albanian jewel to the UNESCO list,” stated Kumbaro.
Vjosa has been designated a National Park. Earlier, the Director General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay visited Vjosa at the invitation of the Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro with the clear goal of including it in the list of sites protected by Unesco. Vjosa is one of the last wild rivers in Europe and the first National Park of an intact river.

The application process is lengthy, in line with the standards set by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The “Man and the Biosphere” programme team will support Albania throughout this process.