New Waste Management Solutions for Regional and Local Government Presented at National Conference

Swiss Cooperation and the Ministry of Interior hosted a national conference that addressed the issue of regional and local waste management, with the expertise from the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Transport and Public Works. New solutions were proposed and a new manual management was presented to encourage regional and local authorities in taking charge of waste management in their territories.
Tuesday, July 3d, 2012, Tirana – Introduction of modern and effective waste management solutions was the topic of a conference organised today at Hotel Tirana International under the care of the Swiss Cooperation Office and the Ministry of Interior. Representatives from central government, regional and local governments, public and private institutions, and international donors were present at the event where examples of successful and effective waste management practices from the regions were shared and discussed. <>
“Waste management is a key aspect that calls for more action and initiative from elected authorities at regional and local levels”, said the Swiss Ambassador in Tirana, Yvana Enzler. She emphasized that the Swiss program for decentralization in Albania is in full harmony with the Government’s priorities as set out in strategies and plans, including the issue of waste management. “All institutions in Albania are now starting to become more aware and active in delegating waste management and in finding effective solutions for this issue”, added Ambassador Enzler. “I am convinced that by taking these and other examples and adapting them in the situation of each of your areas, we may soon see cleaner cities and villages, more caring citizens and increased tourism and investment potentials’, concluded the Ambassador.
“Local government units must be able to administer their territories themselves”, said Deputy Minister of Interior, Mr. Ferdinand Poni. “This requires commitment from both citizens and the authorities”. Mr. Poni mentioned the Government’s determination to promote better management of environment and waste and the successful collaboration with several institutions and international donors. “This conference and the manual’s publication come at the right moment”, emphasized the Deputy Minister.    
Thematic sessions of the Conference, led by the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, focused on planning and implementing waste management at local level (municipalities and communes), as well as on the organization of waste collection and transport at regional level (Qarks and Prefectures). Cost reduction was a particularly interesting topic for participants with examples presented by Swiss and Albanian experts.
During the event, a new publication on “Manual on Waste Management Planning”, developed in close collaboration with all concerned stakeholders at local and national levels, was presented in both English and Albanian. This manual is expected to help local and regional authorities in carrying out practical steps towards improving waste management and territorial cleaning. In addition, several examples from within Albania and other countries were discussed as models that can be used by local and regional government elsewhere in the country.
As waste management has gained more attention due to the increasing levels of solid urban and rural waste and the transfer of competences to local authorities for processing, both responsible authorities and partner institutions are cooperating for strengthening capacities and introducing innovative models in dealing with this problem. The Swiss Cooperation has carried out a series of activities that aim at establishing new methods and systems for collecting and processing waste and it has also organised several conferences with the aim of sharing experiences at all levels.