The Vjosa River, known as Europe’s last wild river, may soon gain UNESCO protection. It is set to join the “Man and the Biosphere” program.

Recently, Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro shared the news. She met with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay in Nice. Azoulay has consistently supported Albania’s cultural and natural heritage efforts.

As a result, Kumbaro called the moment a shared success. “Audrey Azoulay is a dear friend of Albania,” she said. “We’ve worked closely in cultural projects. Now, we celebrate the inclusion of Vjosa in UNESCO heritage. It’s a symbol of harmony between nature and people.”

Moreover, Kumbaro confirmed that the final decision will come in September. This move will place Vjosa on the world heritage list.

This will be a major step—not only for Albania but for the whole region. It will also strengthen Vjosa National Park as Europe’s first of its kind.

The river flows freely for around 270 km. It starts in Greece’s Pindus Mountains—where it’s called Aoos—and ends in Albania, in the Adriatic Sea.

Furthermore, the Vjosa Valley holds a rich and rare ecosystem. It includes forests, sand islands, farmland, and over 1,100 species. Endangered animals like otters, Dalmatian pelicans, and unique fish live there. In addition, many birds use the valley as a migration corridor. Therefore, it stands as a key biodiversity hotspot in Europe.

/a.c/