The Ministry of Tourism and Environment announced the news today. UNESCO officially recommended the Vjosa Valley for Biosphere Reserve status.

Tourism and Environment Minister Mirela Kumbaro welcomed the decision.

“This is more than international praise. It honors Vjosa’s wild beauty. It shows respect for the local people and their harmony with nature. It values our joint efforts to protect Europe’s last wild river,” she said.

This success did not happen by chance. It came after hard work by state institutions. Kumbaro mentioned UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay’s visit to Vjosa in February 2023. She also praised the experts at the National Agency of Protected Areas for their commitment.

“Vjosa is now more than a river. It is a model of sustainable development. Nature here inspires us,” said Kumbaro.

UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserve Council will make the final decision in September.

“We expect approval. This would be a tribute to both nature and the people,” she added.

The new status will boost Vjosa’s international importance. It will also support nature conservation and sustainable growth in the area.

The Vjosa River flows freely for 270 kilometers. It starts in Greece, where it is called Aoos, and ends in the Adriatic Sea in Albania. That’s why many call it “Europe’s last wild river.”

The Vjosa Valley is a rare ecosystem. It includes forests, river islands, farmland, and wetlands. Scientists have recorded more than 1,100 plant and animal species there. Some, like the otter, the Dalmatian pelican, and certain fish, are endangered.

Birds use the valley as a migration route. The area is also vital for European biodiversity.

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