UNESCO calls for action on Albania's World Heritage sites

July 25, 2024 - The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has taken significant steps to address concerns over Albania’s World Heritage Sites, with a series of decisions made during its recent session in New Delhi. The committee approved measures for Butrint, Berat, and Gjirokastër but postponed a decision on the cross-border area of Lake Ohrid, shared with North Macedonia, until next year.

For Butrint, UNESCO has requested that Albania submit a revised map of the site's boundaries. These boundaries were altered two years ago by the Albanian government without UNESCO’s prior approval. The committee expressed its regret over the continued ambiguity of the property’s boundaries and buffer zone, urging Albania to prioritize providing a clear and accurate map.

Additionally, UNESCO has called on the Ministry of Economy, Culture, and Innovation to oversee the World Heritage Property comprehensively. Effective management of both the property and its buffer zone is crucial, according to UNESCO, requiring coordinated and thorough management.

The committee also noted that ICOMOS, the advisory body for cultural heritage, has reviewed the Visitor Centre project and its documentation. It has urged Albania to fully implement the recommendations, including preparing a comprehensive Heritage Impact Assessment that encompasses archaeological research and landscape considerations.

UNESCO’s demands extend to requiring Albania to submit detailed project plans for review before making any irreversible decisions, ensuring that projects proceed only after UNESCO’s approval.

For Gjirokastër and Berat, UNESCO has highlighted the delay in implementing the Management Plan despite previous requests. The committee has urged Albania to update the plan, incorporating feedback from Advisory Bodies and involving local authorities actively.

Further concerns were raised about the construction of the Gjirokastër bypass road, completed without fulfilling UNESCO’s requirements. The committee has asked Albania to conduct an independent impact assessment of the project on Gjirokastër’s heritage and submit it for review.

UNESCO has welcomed Albania's commitment to improving urban planning regulations for Berat and Gjirokastër but has requested clarity on how the Integrated Management Plan aligns with conservation efforts for these historic centers.

In response, the Albanian Ministry of Economy, Culture, and Innovation expressed full support for the committee’s decisions, describing them as objective and professional. However, the ministry has yet to address why the Butrint Park boundaries were altered without prior UNESCO consultation. (VoA)