Albania launched its first National Action Plan (NAP) for the Implementation of UNSCR 1235 and related resolutions on 11 September 2018, for the period between 2018 and 2020. The NAP was developed and will be implemented by the Government of Albania, in close consultation with representatives of local authorities, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Sweden, UN Women, OSCE, the European Union and with contributions from civil society organisations (CSOs). The monitoring and evaluation of the NAP will be carried out by an Implementation and Coordination Group (ICG), which will monitor, evaluate and report on the Action Plan. The ICG is comprised of technical representatives from line ministries and a representative from the Coalition of civil society organisations for Resolution 1325 engaged in the women, peace and security agenda.
The main objectives of the NAP are focused on the implementation and monitoring of UNSCR at all levels. This includes locally, by preventing any crisis situation and the strengthening of public awareness; nationally, as part of the government program; internationally, through active involvement of the country in international activities. The main objectives are: improving policy documents and raising awareness on UNSCR 1325, increasing the participation of women in the field of security at home and abroad, establishing a regulatory framework and capacities that enable better protection and rehabilitation of women in the field of peace and security, and taking measures for better monitoring and reporting of Resolution 1325.
Although the last large violent uprising was in Albania was in 1997, women face other forms of violence, as women and children in Albania are often targeted for human trafficking. Albania ratified the Arms Trade Treaty on 19 March 2014. During the 2017 October Open Debate, Albania pledged its full support to the Italian initiative of creating a Mediterranean women mediators network, which is a concrete mechanism that aims to prevent and mitigate conflict through the increased participation of women in peace processes.
Albania’s first NAP 1325 (2018-2020) is robust and detailed although it does not mention disarmament. It does, however, have clear implementation, financing, monitoring and evaluation strategies and reporting pathways.