The Congress of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN, voted in favor of protecting nature in Albania, calling the sacrifice of protected areas for projects in the service of mass tourism unjustifiable.
The Organization for the Protection and Conservation of the Natural Environment in Albania, PPNEA, announced that the International Union for Conservation of Nature has voted in favor of environmental conservation in Albania, while calling on the Albanian government to limit construction in protected areas.
“The World Congress of the International Union for Conservation of Nature voted in favor of strengthening restrictions against unsustainable tourism infrastructure,” the PPNEA press release reads.
More than 98% of IUCN members voted for Motion 130, a formal proposal by union members to shape global conservation policies and influence governments and businesses.
The Albanian government amended the Law on Protected Areas in 2024 to “comply with IUCN criteria,” but in reality this law is contrary to international conservation standards. The new law paved the way for controversial investments and projects to the detriment of nature, such as airports, power plants, and large tourist complexes even within protected areas.
"Protected Areas exist for conservation, not for mass development," the press release continues.
According to members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, there is no justification for developing unsustainable tourism at the expense of Protected Areas.
"This worrying legal change undermines biodiversity protection, commitments to EU membership and resilience to climate change," the environmentalists' statement reads.
IUCN also called on Albania to restore protections against the construction of airports, luxury resorts and other large infrastructure projects in IUCN Category I & II areas./Reporter
