Tirana hosted the First Community Dialogue Meeting on Raw Materials in Albania, organized by the Regional Innovation Center for Raw Materials. The meeting brought together key national and international stakeholders and representatives from various entities with the presence of Mr. Erlind Sulo, Executive Director of the National Agency of Natural Resources (AKBN); Mr. Hubert Perr, Head of the EU Delegation to Albania; Mr. Wojciech Unolt, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Albania; Mr. Besjan Kadiu, Director General of Industry and Energy Policy and Development at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy; Mr. Adrian Bylyku, Director of the Albanian Geological Service, representatives from the Mining Department at the Ministry of Economy in Kosovo, the Geology and Mining Sector at the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Minerals in North Macedonia, and Mr. Arben Shkodra, Secretary General of the Union of Albanian Producers.

At the opening session was emphasized the pivotal role of the National Agency of Natural Resources (AKBN) in ensuring the rational exploitation of mineral reserves and the environmental protection.

This event reflects our country’s growing focus on critical raw materials and the emerging opportunities for innovation, business development, and academic cooperation. This context clearly demonstrates the strategic importance of the sector and its potential to contribute in construction of a more sustainable and competitive future.

Key discussions focused on topics such as: the potential of resources within the circular economy and the shaping of the critical raw materials sector in Albania; integration, opportunities, and alignment of the mining sector with European standards and practices; mapping of critical raw materials in Albania, current potential and developing strategies; integration into the European market; etc.