Government of Albania and United Nations sign a new Programme of Co-operation

   Photo: UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Zineb Touimi-Benjelloun and Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Sali Berisha during the signing ceremony of the new programme of co-operation for the years 2012-2016

On 24 October 2011, the Government of Albania and United Nations marked a significant step forward by signing the new programme of co-operation for the years 2012-2016. Led by the Government of Albania and building on strengths of the twenty participating UN agencies, programmes and funds, the new programme supports national priorities and development challenges of the country in the areas of governance, rule of law, economy and environment, regional and local development and inclusive social policies. The programme supports Albania in its European Integration Agenda. The programme is a product of extensive consultations with a wide array of partners, from the government, civil society, and many more. It builds on experience gained from the previous One UN Programme and further deepens the UN reform in the country to respond more effectively to national priorities.

Prime Minister of Albania, Sali Berisha, said in his speech: “The programme of the next five years will be concentrated to help Albania promoting sustainable development model. ‘Albania a developed country’ is the ultimate goal and the most beautiful dream of every Albanian. We have all the potential to follow this path at the best interests of the Albanian people.” The Minister for Innovation and Communications and Information Technology, Genc Pollo, who signed the agreement, highlighted: “The Government of Albania particularly appraises the new vision that Delivering as One has brought, which has led to enhanced coherence and cooperation between the UN agencies and the national counterparts ensuring full government ownership in the implementation of this initiative. The new programme provides a comprehensive overview of the UN support to Albania towards national priorities and represents a step forward in the UN reform process.” UN Resident Coordinator Zineb Touimi-Benjelloun, who signed the agreement on behalf of the UN, said: “The programme reflects our shared commitment to achieving results and better serve the people of Albania.”

The One UN Programme in Albania includes resident and non-resident UN agencies, funds and programmes, which contribute strategically to Albania’s development priorities, namely: the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), United Nations Volunteers (UNV), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Labor Organization (ILO), the United Nations Health Organization (WHO,) the International Organization on Migration (IOM) and non-resident agencies: UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Trade Center ITC, United Nations Industrial Development Organization(UNIDO) and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).