Tirana, February 4, 2026 – Albania reached an important milestone in its national safety and development agenda. The National Civil Protection Agency (AKMC), in partnership with UNDP Albania and the Swiss Embassy, launched the first inter-institutional consultation for the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NP4DRR).
This initiative marks a fundamental shift in how Albania prepares for the future: moving from a reactive "emergency response" mindset to a proactive "risk governance" model.

A Modern System Built on Reform

In recent years, Albania has undergone a transformation of its Civil Protection and Disaster Risk Management (DRM) systems. The operationalization of Law No. 45/2019 on Civil Protection, preparation of the Disaster Risk Assessment, implementation of the National DRR Strategy 2023–2030 and the National Civil Emergency Plan have provided the legislative "teeth" and strategic roadmap necessary for a modern state.

Acknowledging this progress, the UNDP Resident Representative emphasized the strategic weight of this new phase: "The launch of the NP4DRR reflects Albania’s commitment to moving from managing disasters to managing risk. This platform is not an additional structure; it is a coordination mechanism designed to connect what already exists and make it work better together. It ensures that disaster risk reduction becomes everyone’s business."

Drawing on international best practices, Mr. Philipp Arnold, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Switzerland, highlighted that resilience is a "whole-of-society" endeavor. "Switzerland’s experience shows that effective risk reduction depends on shared responsibility. It is time to foster a shift toward risk-informed development policies, embedding infrastructure resilience into planning at all levels of government."

The Core Pillars of the NP4DRR

The workshop identified three critical areas where the National Platform will add immediate value:

1. Inter-Institutional Synergy: Connecting central ministries, local authorities, and the private sector to ensure policies are aligned and responsibilities are clear.
2. Evidence-Based Innovation: Bringing academia and research institutions into the fold to provide data-driven solutions for climate and seismic risks.
3. EU Alignment: Strengthening Albania’s role within the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) and the Sendai Framework, solidifying its path toward European integration.

This process is supported by the UNDP "RESEAL" Project (Phase II), funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). 

“Today’s workshop was not a one-off event, but the start of a structured process to institutionalize resilience. As risks become more interconnected, Albania’s new National Platform will serve as the governance tool essential for translating national strategies into life-saving action””-concluded the Head of the National Civil Protection Agency Haki Cako.