“The revitalization of the forests in North Macedonia and Albania is also important for our countries, but also for the fulfillment of the European goals from the EU Forest Strategy until 2030, because natural ecosystems do not recognize borders and require harmonized and sustainable management”- emphasized the Minister of Environment and Physical Planning, Kaja Shukova, at the event in the “Korab Trnica” complex, “Mavrovo” National Park, which marked the beginning of the “Northern Forests Initiative: Forest Restoration in North Macedonia and Albania” project.
The project will be implemented by applying Nature-based Solutions to restore the forest landscape in important areas for the conservation of the Balkan lynx, especially Bukovic in North Macedonia and Pashtrik-Morina in Albania.
This introductory event marks the joint commitment of major stakeholders in Albania and North Macedonia to prevent forest degradation and biodiversity loss, encourage sustainable forest management, and spearhead the movement for a greener future for both countries.
The project is a joint commitment and collaboration between the International Union for Conservation of Nature – Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (IUCN ECARO), the Macedonian Ecological Society, and the Society for the Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA) supported by Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning from the Republic of North Macedonia.
As part of the event, Minister Shukova held a bilateral meeting with the director of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Regional Office for Europe, Boris Erg.
In addition to Shukova and Erg, the director of Mavrovo National Park, Samir Ajdini, also had an opening speech.