United Nations launches National Cleaner Production Programme in Albania

The United Nations Industrial Organization (UNIDO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), launched, in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Energy, and the Ministry of Environment, the National Cleaner Production Programme (NCPP) for Albania. The NCPP in Albania will contribute to sustainable industrial development, and sustainable consumption and production in the country, through the widespread uptake of concepts, methods, practices, and policies for Cleaner and Resource Efficient Production (CREP). Such initiatives target the reduction of pollution and the waste intensity of businesses and other organizations, and further improve the productive use of natural resources, including energy, water and materials. The programme will work with businesses and institutions from three main sectors, mining, agro processing, and tourism, seen as strategic areas in need of development.
In her speech addressing the launch of the programme, Ms. Gulden Turkoz-Cosslett, the UN Resident Coordinator, amongst other highlighted that: “The importance of such programme does not lie in its environmental impact alone, but also in preparing Albanian businesses for easier accession into EU markets, where resource efficient production ensures market competitiveness. Furthermore, NCPP is a demonstration of the continued UN support to private sector partnership and development”. Other guest speakers at the launch event included representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Energy, the Ministry of Environment, The Department of Strategy and Donor Coordination, UNIDO, UNEP, and the Environmental Center for Administration and Technology (ECAT), the institution that will host the NCPP in Albania.
The Joint Programme on NCPP is part of the One UN Programme, contributing to the environment and regional development pillars and the core principle of national capacity development. Cleaner production activities in the mining and metallurgical sectors will complement and strengthen ongoing efforts under the existing environmental hot spots programme of the United Nations Development Programme. Within the food sector synergies have been created in the area of food quality and safety, which will benefit from the application of cleaner production methods and practices. The NCPP addresses existing government priorities in the adoption of cleaner production techniques and skills in the private sector.
UNIDO and UNEP have a solid experience of cooperation in the area of cleaner production, including in several countries in the Balkan and surrounding region. The programme is operational in over 40 developing and transition countries, including several neighbouring countries such as Hungary, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Croatia. The National Cleaner Production Programme budget is $ 787,000 and will be implemented over a period of three years.