TIRANA, April 15 – Albania is advancing toward a circular economy model with strong input from the diaspora, Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj said in Tirana. He spoke during the fourth Diaspora Summit in a panel focused on sustainable development and European Union integration.
He placed environmental reform at the center of chapter 27 of the EU accession process. The chapter covers environment and climate policy and represents one of the most complex and costly alignment areas. It includes ten fields ranging from water quality and waste management to chemicals, protected areas, and climate change.
Implementation requires broad institutional coordination, according to Jaupaj. He said 29 institutions currently work on meeting the requirements. Authorities also plan to adopt around 400 legal and regulatory acts within roughly 18 months to align with EU standards.
Beyond public institutions, he pointed to the private sector and diaspora investors as key drivers of change. Many diaspora-linked businesses have introduced recycling systems and circular production models, he said. These practices have helped shift parts of the economy away from a linear “produce and discard” model.
A ministry programme called “create and circulate” supports this transition by promoting sustainable business projects. Jaupaj said diaspora entrepreneurs represent a major part of these initiatives, particularly in green investment and innovation.
Environmental policy also extends to land protection and tourism development. Protected areas cover about 22 percent of Albania’s territory and represent a core national tourism asset. He said their management must balance conservation with local economic activity.
The Vjosa river remains a key reference point for environmental policy. Albania declared it a national park after cancelling 26 hydropower contracts along its 480-kilometre course. Jaupaj described the decision as a major environmental milestone supported by state and civil society cooperation.
Tourism growth continues to reinforce that strategy. Albania recorded 12.5 million foreign visitors last year. According to the minister, around 60 percent explored inland areas, including national parks, rivers, mountains, and lakes rather than coastal zones.
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