The most comprehensive report on Europe’s environment, climate, and sustainability —Europe’s environment 2025— is officially launched today in Podgorica for the Western Balkans region, marking over two decades of collaboration between the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the six Western Balkan countries.
The regional launch event brings together EEA Executive Director Leena Ylä-Mononen and senior environmental representatives from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The event, co-hosted by the EEA and the Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro, in collaboration with the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, and Northern Region Development of Montenegro, celebrates the collective contributions of these countries and the 32 EEA member countries in strengthening Europe’s environmental knowledge base.
The report emphasizes the progress made by the six cooperating countries in environmental, climate, and sustainability efforts and the challenges that remain. Achievements include the expansion and enhancement of protected area networks contributing to biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and alignment with European biodiversity goals.
“The Western Balkans are part of Europe’s environmental story, and their role in that story is only growing stronger,” stated Executive Director Ylä-Mononen.
Since 2000, the EEA and the Western Balkans have partnered to enhance environmental monitoring and reporting, align with European data standards, and promote capacity building and knowledge sharing.
High-level participants at the event include Damjan Ćulafić, Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development, and Northern Region Development of Montenegro, Leena Ylä-Mononen, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency, and Milan Gazdić, Director of the Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro. Attendees also include heads of environmental agencies, national focal points, technical experts, and EU Delegation and international partners.
The event is co-organized by the EEA and the Government of Montenegro, supported by national institutions hosting the EEA National Focal Points:
- Albania: Environment Protection Agency
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, Ministry of Environment and Tourism of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Environmental Protection Fund of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ministry of Physical Planning, Civil Engineering and Ecology of the Republic of Srpska
- Kosovo: Environment Protection Agency
- Montenegro: Environmental Protection Agency
- North Macedonia: Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning
- Serbia: Environment Protection Agency
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and aligns with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on Kosovo’s declaration of independence.
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