Albania has expanded its protected areas network and placed nearly one-quarter of its territory under national nature protection.
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu shared a video showing the country’s environmental progress from 2013 to 2026. She highlighted stronger environmental laws, better management of protected areas and new initiatives to protect biodiversity.
Albania’s protected areas network now includes 12 national parks, 28 natural parks and reserves, 11 protected landscapes and 724 natural monuments. The country protects key natural sites such as the Albanian Alps, the Blue Eye spring, Porto Palermo and the Vjosa Valley.
Albania also declared the Vjosa River a National Park. The protected area covers around 480 kilometres of river and includes the Drino, Bënçë and Shushicë branches.
Authorities cancelled more than 40 old hydropower contracts to protect the river ecosystem.
The government worked with international partners, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), to develop the Vjosa protection project.
UNESCO also included the Vjosa National Park and Lake Shkodër in the “Man and the Biosphere” programme.
Albania introduced a hunting moratorium to protect wildlife after years of uncontrolled exploitation. The measure helped increase bird populations by 40% during the first two years.
In 2025, protected areas welcomed 5.8 million visitors. More than 200 certified agritourism and ecotourism businesses and over 1,100 tourist guides now operate in the sector.
Outdoor activities such as rafting, kayaking and hiking create new opportunities for local communities.
Albania has also strengthened forest protection. The country planted more than five million trees over the past decade and launched rehabilitation projects in Lurë National Park.
These measures support biodiversity, sustainable tourism and long-term environmental protection.
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