Albania, Greece and Macedonia Team Up on a UNESCO Bid for Prespa
The three countries are advancing a joint nomination for the cross-border Prespa region, known for its biodiversity.
Albania, Greece and North Macedonia are working to advance a joint bid to have the Prespa region added to UNESCO's World Heritage List, the Albanian news agency ATA reported.
The initiative was discussed by Albania's minister of tourism, culture and sport, Blendi Gonxhja, at a meeting with Greece's newly appointed ambassador to Tirana, Lambrini Komini. Gonxhja said Albania welcomes the proposal from Greece's culture ministry and is ready to cooperate with the other two countries to advance the application process.
According to him, a joint Prespa nomination would carry significance beyond UNESCO status itself — it could raise the region's international profile and create opportunities for preserving and promoting its cultural heritage, sustainable development and better tourism.
The Prespa region is known for its rich biodiversity, endemic species, and Byzantine and post-Byzantine monuments, but also faces serious environmental challenges, including a falling lake water level. If the bid succeeds, Macedonia would gain another UNESCO-protected site alongside the already-listed Lake Ohrid region.
MKNews Hub · World · September 15, 2026