Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation, Mr. Blendi Gonxhja, together with the Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mrs. Mirela Kumbaro, conducted a two-day visit to the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. During this visit, they had a very productive meeting with UNESCO’s Deputy Director General for Culture, Mr. Ernesto Ottone.
During the meeting, the parties agreed on a work plan and a technical and political protocol, aiming to strengthen cooperation with the organization for the management, protection and sustainable preservation of the world and cultural heritage centers in Albania.
In this context, important files for Albania were also discussed, such as Butrinti, Gjirokastra, Berati and Ohri, which constitute cultural and natural heritage. Also, a new file was added to the discussions with UNESCO, related to biodiversity and the work done so far on the Vjosa river, the last wild river in Europe. The file is being prepared for its registration in the dedicated category “Man and the Biosphere” in UNESCO.
The sustainable development of tourism in Albania relies on its two greatest assets: nature and cultural heritage.