National Conference “Waste Management Sector, challenges and opportunities”

Tirana, Tuesday 20 May 2014 – Decentralization and Local Development Programme (dldp), financed by the Swiss Cooperation Office in collaboration with SELEA project, which is financed by EU, have organized the National Conference “Waste Management Sector, challenges and opportunities”, to bring in national level issues and opportunities concerning waste management.
The Conference was co-organized by the Government of Albania, Embassy of Switzerland and EU Delegation in Albania, which has assisted in drafting and implementation of environmental policies and good governance.

The Conference participants were representatives of the Ministry of Environment, State Minister for Local Government Issues, Ministry of Urban and Tourism Development, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, mayors of municipalities and communes that have built good practices through the Swiss Government and dldp support, other developing programs and representatives of civil society. Ministry of Environment and State Minister for Local Government Issues are considered as key actors for the started process of reforms harmonization, while the space was left also to government and environment experts that have invoked the importance of environment for a sustainable development.  
“Waste Management goes beyond the environment issue. It affects the health and tourism. I believe that is a consensus between government, donors and civil society on the need to improve waste management. There is already a Law on Integrated Waste Management, as well as secondary legislation and regulations, which have been created in cooperation with European Union. This is a good basis from where it can be started. However, drafting and implementation of the law should be a step by step process” –  said Mr. Holger Tausch, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Embassy of Switzerland.
Deputy Minister of Environment Ms. Oliana Ifti, highlighted that waste management has become a priority for the Government. Ms. Ifti mentioned the great progress achieved on legal framework improvement and its approximation with European legislation.
Z. Clive Rumbold, EU Delegation to Albania’s Chargé d’Affaires emphasized sustainable economic growth as the main challenges of the time. “Sustained economic growth requires a balance between economic welfare and environment. The EU is built on the principle of modern challenges – combining economic growth with sustainable resources” – said Mr. Rumbold.
State Minister for Local Government issues, Mr. Blendi Çuçi, emphasized the importance of minimal service standards, which should be compulsory for local government units.
The purpose of the conference was to bring in national level some good examples on how local government in Shkodër and Lezhë has handled waste management issue. The waste management is expected to be effected by the administrative and territorial reformed already launched by Government. An inter-ministerial Working Group on Waste Management, under the leadership of the Ministry of Environment was created after the Order of Prime Minister Rama and in line with the National Plan on Waste. Besides good examples by local government, the conference included feedback from other ministries and international donors.
Recommendations coming from real examples and experts of the field are expected to contribute to the future strategy of decentralization regarding waste management.