Climate change is no longer a future risk for the Western Balkans. It is already part of our daily reality. Frequent floods, prolonged heat waves, droughts, wildfires, and landslides have in recent years affected thousands of citizens, agriculture, infrastructure, and the economies of countries across the region, causing significant losses and mounting pressure on public institutions and emergency systems.

Against this backdrop, Tirana will become the center of regional climate dialogue on May 5–7, 2026, hosting the high-level conference “United for Climate – Regional Cooperation for a Resilient Future.” The event is organized by Albania’s Ministry of Tourism and Environment and GIZ, within the framework of the Regional Climate Partnership between Germany and the Western Balkans, with support from international climate finance actors.

The conference aims to go beyond theoretical discussions and bring key regional actors and international partners to the same table — to turn political commitments into concrete actions and implementable projects. Environment ministers from Western Balkan countries, European Union representatives, climate finance institutions such as the Green Climate Fund, and international development organizations will discuss how to build a shared approach to climate adaptation and strengthen the region’s resilience to natural hazards.

One of the conference’s core messages is that climate impacts do not stop at national borders. Rivers, ecosystems, economic corridors, and natural risks are shared across the region, and so the responses must be coordinated. In this spirit, the conference will focus on strengthening cross-border cooperation, improving the use of climate data and early warning systems, and mobilizing financing for concrete adaptation projects.

The event agenda includes high-level panels on climate finance in the Western Balkans, the role of scientific data in policy-making, and dedicated sessions on specific sectors such as agriculture, urban development, and urban mobility. Special attention will be given to the role of local government, the private sector, and innovation — including the use of new technologies and artificial intelligence in climate adaptation.

Through “United for Climate,” the Western Balkans aims to position itself as a credible and coherent partner in the European and global climate agenda. The conference is seen as an opportunity to show that the region is not only facing shared challenges, but is also ready to build shared solutions grounded in cooperation, solidarity, and long-term vision.

At a time when the consequences of climate change are becoming increasingly visible in the daily lives of citizens, this event in Tirana is expected to serve as a turning point in how the Western Balkans plans to face its climate future — not as small, isolated countries confronting large risks, but as a region that speaks with one voice and acts in a coordinated way.