The Republic of Albania

Positions for the General Assembly Plenary

  1. Protection of Cultural Heritage Sites in Conflict Zones

As a country that is dedicated to the preservation of ancient history and culture for study, we have continuously pushed forth an initiative to protect and preserve cultural heritage sights in conflict zones. The importance of protecting a cultural heritage sight is not based in an egotistical ‘artifacts’ war in which one nation brags of what they possess[1], but instead, based on the historical value that is offered. The international community has been well aware that the loss of culture and historical capital leads to encourage black market tendencies, and cultural cleansing. One of the earliest measures taken to prohibit this was seen in the 1931 Athens Charter for the Restoration of Historical Monuments. This charter outlines seven main resolutions[2] which cover the restoration and protection of excavated sites, as well as laying down a legislative process of how a country should go about when encountering a damaged historic sites. The charter also emphasizes reburial and strict custodial protection of them as a preventative measure. The definition of what a ‘cultural/historic site’ was expanded under the Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace in 1935 to include “more than just the physical remains of earlier cultures—the buildings and art, for example—but also the creative activities, the universities, the libraries, the hospitals, the concert halls and theaters”.[3] This Pact also marked a change in international concern over such historic and cultural sights by affirming that their protection should not exclusively be limited in times of war. Similarly, the notion of ‘cultural heritage’ was then defined by the United Nations in Article 1of the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict with Regulations for the Execution of the Convention 1954.[4] Throughout the continuing years, with war continuing to be fought by more dangerous methods,and further destruction of cultural heritage sites, a Committee for the Protection of Cultural property in the Event of Armed Conflict was finally established in the 1999 Second Protocol (Article 24) to the Convention.[5]

Within the borders of our country, we contain many ancient historical sites that are still standing, despite the previous lack of care and attention payed to them during Enver Hoxha's rule. Our country has a plethora of Pre-Roman, and Roman structures that have served educational value to the international level. To list a few important sites, we have the remains of the 4th century B.C. city of Antigonea, the Roman built city of Hadrianopolis (A.D. 125), and the Ottoman structures of Berat and Gjirokastra[6]. Under our current leadership of Ms. Mirela KumbaroFurxhi, our Ministria de Kultures,[7] we have taken extra precautionary steps in evaluating previous policies regarding protection of theses sites. As said recently by her on the International Translation Day & European Day of Languages 2017, respect and diversity are the outcomes of the protection of cultural heritage sites. As a whole interlocking network of countries in what is called ‘Europe’, “a good and long-lasting coexistence begins with the culture sharing that the bridge of transmission has exactly the language...Even the common Euro for Culture, for a Europe with 24 different languages, is precisely the Translation.”[8]

We have recently been launched a Cultural Heritage Program 2013-2017[9] that encompasses sixteen resolutions of improving the legal framework for cultural heritage, as well as building a new strategy for coordinating and monitoring projects with donors in archaeological parks and historical centers; in partnership with them, PP partnerships will be developed for their cultural and social heritage, ensuring transparency, monitoring and protection and restoration of cultural heritage centers. Recently, we have been provided help via UNESCO, which has been a great asset in our mission to protect these precious sites. With the latest approved request of Development of Monitoring Indicators for the World Heritage Property in 2016[10], we have managed to improve the conditions of Berat and Gjirokastra. We seek to further our relationship with United Nations in the protection of these sights.

II. Addressing the Economic Effects for Natural Disasters

Since the communist regime ended in, Albania has been committed to help the United Nations. Disaster Risk Reduction is important to Albania due to the numerous Earthquakes and floods that plague the country. Albania lies on the Alpine-Mediterranean Seismic belt and has experienced many Earth-shattering earthquakes. An average of one hundred fifty-nine natural disaster events happen per year in Albania. An average of 39,000 people are affected by natural disasters in Albania.[11] These events affect the economy through tourism, which in turn affects the global economy. Earthquakes can shatter one’s economy depending on the magnitude of the quake[12].Working with the UNISDR and the UNDRO, Albania is looking forward to its efforts in Natural Disaster Risk Reduction. Albania is not only prepared to help nationally, but also regionally and globally in Natural Disaster Risk Reduction. Threats from earthquakes and floods, Albania ranks among the member states who would benefit from a risk reduction plan. Albania is working on legal framework on mandatory housing insurances, protection from natural disasters, and is soon ratifying a new law on overall disaster risk reduction. With more emergency plans in effect, Albania will be more prepared for natural disaster events. As a member of the United Nations, Albania is determined to be more supportive for the United Nations agenda.

[1]as explained by what the Director of UNESCO’s Cultural and Heritage division program noted:“Preservation is sought, not for the sake of the objects, but for the sake of the people for whom they have a meaningful life.”

[2] “The Athens Charter for Restoration of Historical Monuments--1931,” International Council on Monuments and Sites,

[3] “Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace.” Nicholas Roerich Museum New York,

[4] Article 1 states: “moveable or immoveable property of great importance to the cultural heritage of every people...buildings whose mind and effective purpose is to preserve or exhibit the moveable cultural property defined [above]....[and]centers containing a large amount of cultural property as defined [above]”.

[5] Second Protocol to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the protection of Cultural Property in the event of Armed Conflict. UNESCO, n.d. Web.

[6] Gilkes, Oliver. "Saving the Silver City." Archaeology 62, no. 3 (2009): 49-54.

[7] "TurizmiKulturor: Nis projektiirijetëzimittëqendrëshistoriketëVlorës." Ministria e Kulturës. Accessed October 24, 2017.

[8] "Fjala e MinistressëKulturës, znj. Mirela KumbaronëDitënNdërkombëtaretëPërkthimitdheDitënEvropianetëGjuhëve." Ministria e Kulturës. Accessed October 24, 2017.

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12] Ibid., 11