TIRANA, May 5 – A Regional Climate Conference took place in Tirana under the theme “United for Climate”. The event focused on regional cooperation, innovation, and green policies for environmental protection and future generations.

At the opening of her remarks, Swiss Ambassador to Tirana Ruth Huber stressed the urgency of climate action. She said the climate crisis no longer represents a distant threat. Instead, she described it as a present reality that already affects daily life, the economy, and the environment across the region.

In addition, she said climate impacts do not respect borders. She explained that they affect every country in the Western Balkans in a direct way.
Against this background, Huber underlined the importance of cooperation. She said the conference promotes exactly this approach, which Switzerland considers essential for climate resilience in the region.

Furthermore, she said climate action requires urgent attention because the crisis is already visible in everyday life. She added that it affects people, the environment, and economic development at the same time. She also stressed that no crisis respects borders and said it impacts every country, sector, and citizen in the Western Balkans.

For this reason, she said the theme “United for Climate” reflects the correct response to shared challenges. She added that no country can address climate risks alone. She explained that the region shares river basins, transport corridors, and markets, while vulnerabilities remain closely connected. As a result, she said solutions must also be coordinated across borders.

Meanwhile, Huber said Switzerland’s cooperation framework for 2025–2028 focuses on concrete climate action. She said the goal is to support effective and sustainable responses to climate change. She also noted that Western Balkan countries face similar challenges, although they apply different approaches to mitigation and adaptation.

Finally, she said Albania ranks among the most exposed countries in Europe to heatwaves and floods. She added that these events have affected the country over the past two decades. In conclusion, she said this situation makes regional cooperation and sustainable environmental policies even more necessary.

/a.p./