Why Investing in Biodiversity is the Foundation for Albania’s Future

UNDP Albania

May 22, 2026

Why Investing in Biodiversity is the Foundation for Albania’s Future

UNDP Albania

Author

Nora Kushti

Communications Specialist, UNDP Albania

My friend looked at me the other day, genuinely puzzled, and asked a question that a lot of people are secretly thinking: "Why would Albania spend time and money protecting and preserving our wild coastlines and wetlands when that land could just be developed and turned into profit?"

I paused for a second. Instead of giving her a lecture on ecology (which I am not great at), I asked her a simple question back: "Why do you think 12 million visitors flock to Albania every single year?"

She thought about it. "For the sea," she said.

"The light. The lagoons. The birds. The beaches. The food. The landscapes. The feeling of being completely close to nature.

I smiled. "Exactly. That is the answer."

Albania doesn’t protect biodiversity despite its economic and tourism ambitions—it protects biodiversity because of them. Healthy ecosystems are not a luxury or background scenery. They are the core product. When we protect nature, we protect the very reason people come here in the first place.

Right now, Albania is a living, breathing ecological masterpiece. Our wild coastlines and Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) harbor globally significant wildlife found almost nowhere else in the Mediterranean—from the majestic Dalmatian Pelican and Flamingos to millions of other species which populate our lagoons and river deltas.

However, accommodating this unprecedented success in visitor numbers requires careful coordination to ensure long-term sustainability. Rapid, high-density tourism growth can inadvertently place pressure on fragile water resources, increase waste management demands, and lead to habitat fragmentation that impacts sensitive species.

To preserve the very features that make Albania an extraordinary destination, the focus must shift toward a high-value, quality-driven model. Transitioning to sustainable tourism practices isn’t about limiting economic growth, it is about safeguarding its foundation, protecting local livelihoods, and ensuring the unique identity of these coastal ecosystems endures for generations to come.

To address this, UNDP, alongside the Ministry of Environment is implementing an ambitious project “Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Coastal Development and Planning for Sustainable Tourism Development” funded by the GEF. The goal of this project isn’t to stop tourism but is about working together to protect what makes our destinations special, while creating real benefits for people and communities through sustainable tourism.

The project focuses directly on high-value coastal treasures, prioritizing Divjaka-Karavasta National Park and the Kune-Vain-Tale-Patok-Fushekuqe-IshemManaged Nature Reserve, while scaling these blueprints to the Buna River Velipoja Protected Landscape and Karaburun Managed Nature Reserve. What happens on this coastline is part of a massive global commitment. By safeguarding these Mediterranean ecosystems, this project directly drives the UN Sustainable Development Goals—specifically Life Under Water and Life on Land—while proving that a healthy planet is the ultimate engine for Decent Work and Economic Growth.

As Randi Davis, UNDP Resident Representative in Albania, puts it: "Local actions create global impact. Every restored habitat, every protected species, every sustainable tourism business is a contribution to preserving Albania's natural heritage—for this generation and every one that follows."

“Ultimately, we do not protect nature simply to sustain an industry or please outside visitors. We protect it first and foremost for Albanians. We protect it so our children and grandchildren can grow up with clean rivers, healthy forests, and thriving ecosystems. We protect it to safeguard local livelihoods, community well-being, and our true national identity”-says Director of Biodiversity at the Ministry of Environment Klodiana Marikaj.

When we preserve Albania's ecosystems, we are preserving our own home, our resilience, and our future heritage. My friend got it in the end. It is about a high-quality development model that honors our land and our people first—and when we get that right, the rest of the world will naturally want to experience and respect it too. Let’s choose quality. Let’s protect our home for the generations to come.