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The ALBAadpt/ Kumbaro program is launched: 35 million euros for mitigating climate risks

2024-11-25 15:10:00, Aktualitet CNA

The ALBAadpt/ Kumbaro program is launched: 35 million euros for mitigating

The Albanian, German and Swiss governments, through a joint conference, presented the launch of the ALBAdapt program, which aims to strengthen Albania's resilience to climate change.

The Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mirela Kumbaro, in her speech during the meeting attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku, the Minister of Defense, Pirro Vëngu, said that this program is supported by the Green Climate Fund, with a financing of 35 million euros.

"The Albadapt project embodies a joint effort to build in the future a system where climate data and early warning systems become our most important tools to protect the lives and well-being of citizens. Albania, a country blessed by nature, full of resources both those that we see and enjoy, such as ecotourism, as well as those that we do not see and are protected or used with great hospitality by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, also because of the position geographically among the most exposed to natural hazards. The lack of a modern and functional system of hydrometeorological services has increased our sensitivity and highlighted the necessity of a deep reform in this sector, for which financial means and a better coordination between our institutions are needed," said the minister. Godfather.

The minister, bringing to attention the case of floods in Spain, said that the Mediterranean is one of the most endangered regions, continuing that the term 'climate change' is no longer an abstract notion, but a phenomenon for which citizens must be prepared.

The ALBAadpt/ Kumbaro program is launched: 35 million euros for mitigating

"We have to teach citizens, local and regional administrations, that's why it's not done only by the government or in seminars, where sometimes instead of tons of expertise papers, which at the end of the day are trees that are cut, to build systems and this project it aims at this through the modernization of Albania's hydro-meteorological infrastructure. Through the integration of advanced hardware and software, the program will harmonize and centralize climate information, making it accessible to all citizens. A financing of 35 million euros has already been secured for the ALBAdapt program. Albania is a country with 22% protected areas and ecotourism is a priority", said Minister Kumbaro.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku, said that in addition to the regulatory bases that bring us closer to the EU countries, synergy and innovation in such projects are very important.

"Coordination, preventive coordination and innovation are two elements that should be widely used in the face of all civil emergency issues and all the challenging issues we are facing today due to climate change. On behalf of the Albanian government, today I have the pleasure to thank all partners", said Deputy Prime Minister Balluku.

For his part, Minister Vëngu ensured the support of the agencies involved in the implementation of this program:

"The Ministry of Defense is in support of a project that will last until 2030, but we must lay the foundations as soon as possible so that all the by-products have progressed satisfactorily and are implemented according to the calendars".

The program will integrate the most advanced meteorological technology and expertise from renowned institutions such as the Swiss Federal Office for Meteorology and Climatology. An essential aspect of the program is the modernization of Albania's hydro-meteorological infrastructure. Through the integration of advanced hardware and software, the program will harmonize and centralize climate information, making it accessible to all citizens.

This project makes Albania the first country in the region to access bilateral funds from the Green Climate Fund, which address the country's problems and vulnerability to climate change, as a response to the effects of climate change, but also to fulfill Albania's tasks in the process of negotiations for membership in the European Union./ CNA