Norway Grants Albania $880,000 for Achieving SDGs

TIRANA, July 19

The Norwegian Government will grant Albania NOK 7,500,000 or about $880,000 for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

An agreement was signed on Thursday between the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs represented by Norwegian Ambassador to Pristina Per Strand Sjaastad and UN Resident Coordinator in Albania Brian James Williams.

This agreement contributes to the Albanian Acceleration Fund for the SDGs while Norway highlights the necessary action needed in the following sectors:

Good governance and democratic development
The rule of law and human rights
Economic development

Ambassador Sjaastad stated that the 2030 Agenda belongs to everyone and that Norway is committed to achieving the SDGs as well as to help Albania to meet the Agenda.

While 11 years remain to meet the 2030 Agenda, there is much to be done. Based on the Voluntary National Review 2018, the achievement of the SDGs in Albania would require further and substantial commitment and cooperation of all the relevant stakeholders in the country. The review highlights that the country lacks a national vision for achieving the 2030 agenda. Moreover, it is required the identification of policy gaps and acceleration of action in priority areas, the prioritization the SDGs in the local context and the strengthening of the institutional capacities of all the key stakeholders engaged in the process, including the monitoring and reporting institutions.

 

Based on a report published by the Albanian Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) in May, Albania lacked data on a considerable number of indicators and targets and especially on two specific SDGs related to two global burning issues: Goal 14: Life below water and Goal 13: Climate Action.

News Source/Photo Credit: UN in Albania