Bern Convention Calls for Greater Government Transparency on Vjosa-Narta Projects

In a letter sent to the Albanian government, the Bureau of the Bern Convention raised concerns over the lack of detailed data on the Vjosa-Narta protected landscape and the projects planned in the area. The institution has been asked to provide additional information and more in-depth analyses of the environmental impact.

The Bureau’s stance towards the Albanian authorities has become more critical due to tourism and infrastructure developments in Vjosa-Narta, an area proposed for inclusion in the Emerald Network.

The letter, dated July 15, 2026, and addressed to the Ministry of Tourism and Environment and Albanian environmental organisations, expresses regret over the insufficient information regarding the projects. The Bureau requests the submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment that includes the cumulative impact of Vlora Airport and what it describes as new tourism development projects. The latter appear to be linked to plans to build resorts rated five stars or more in the area.

The document was made public by EcoAlbania, which, together with PPNEA, is registered as a complainant in the requests submitted to the Convention. According to the organisation, the situation was reviewed by the Bern Convention during its June meeting, following complaints from environmental organisations and troubling reports from citizens. The letter commends both the temporary suspension of works and the government’s commitment to carry out a new, comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment.

The Bureau said it had reviewed the materials received concerning the new tourism projects within the Vjosa-Narta Emerald candidate area. It welcomed the halt to construction work in the territory and the commitment by Albanian authorities to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment.

However, the document criticises the lack of transparency by Albanian institutions and stresses that the data they provided were incomplete. The Bureau regrets that the authorities did not provide details on the Vjosa-Narta Emerald candidate area and have still not submitted an updated Standard Data Form for Emerald sites in Albania.

Representatives of the Convention have warned that the way Albanian authorities are acting could create similar risks for other Emerald candidate sites in the country.

EcoAlbania interpreted the letter as a strong warning to the Albanian Government in the face of ongoing threats to the Vjosa-Narta Emerald site. The organisation also announced that the Convention had been informed of work already carried out in the area.

In EcoAlbania’s press statement, Executive Director Olsi Nika said the Bern Convention’s position was entirely clear. According to him, the Albanian Government cannot treat international obligations as optional matters while enabling investors to develop projects within protected areas.

Nika further stressed that Vjosa-Narta is a territory of extraordinary natural wealth and international recognition, not a construction site. He called on the government to stop trying to evade the decisions of the Bern Convention and begin implementing them.

The Convention Secretariat also recalls in the letter the unimplemented request of the Standing Committee from December 2025. It called for the suspension of construction of Vlora Airport until a new and accurate Environmental Impact Assessment was drafted, a condition which, according to the Convention, is directly linked to Albania’s European integration process.

By August 15, 2026, the government must submit detailed information on approved permits and the procedures followed, as well as maps showing the overlap between development projects and protected areas. In September, the Convention will decide whether to send an assessment mission to the site.