The first UN Country Team (UNCT) workshop on the preparation of the Common Country Assessment (CCA) and United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for Albania took place in June 13^th – 15^th, in Tirana. The main objective of the workshop was to extend the knowledge about CCA and UNDAF exercise among the UNCT, and to prepare its implementation plan. In order to ensure an efficient participation of the UNCT in this process, an extended team building session was part of the workshop’s agenda. Mr. Pablo Mateu, Senior Inter-Organization Officer was resource person on the issues related to UN reform and CCA/UN, while Mrs. Christiane Golze, Team Building Trainer form UN Staff College was holding lectures on the team’s role, team building and team working. The workshop concluded with a clear result in reaching its target. Following the regional workshop on re-profiling, the UNDP Tirana office welcomed the re-profiling mission, comprising of Mr. Paolo Galli, Mr. David Eisenberg and Mrs. Ubavka Dizdarevic. This mission introduced similar case studies from other UNDP CO. They also developed a detailed assessment on the Albanian CO, including interviews with all staff members. At the end of the mission, the findings and recommendation were presented, and a detailed action plan and a final report were submitted shortly after.

UNICEF Country Office in collaboration with National Institute of Statistics has launched two recent studies for Albania. The “Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey”(MICS), surveyed households throughout Albania on their social-economic problems. “As part of the overall efforts within the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS), the MICS study is the first one meeting international standards on data collection of social issues, totaling more than 5,000 interviewees from all over the country “ stated Mr. Roberto Laurenti during the launching ceremony in Tirana in June 15^th.
The second study “Assessment of Social and Economic Conditions in the Districts of Albania” is the first national assessment of social and economic data of all Albanian districts, aiming to compile a map of progress by all Albanian districts in integrated performance on health, education and social status. In particular, it marks a sharp decrease of the Albanian Adults literacy rate compared to ten years ago. 

Following the press conference held by UNHCR Resident Representative, Mrs. Marion Hoffmann, on the occasion of the First World Refugee Day, the UNHCR office in Tirana opened a refugee photo exhibition by the British photographer, Robert Hackman. The opening was attended by the President of Albania, Prof. Dr. Rexhep Meidani, and many other government officials and representatives of international community. The exhibition presented 34 photos of the last remaining Kosovar refugees in Tirana. In this occasion, a documentary on “50 years of humanitarian action of UNHCR” and a refugees’ concert were broadcasted by the national and local televisions. “Respect” was called the new spot in the support of the campaign “respect for refugees”, which was also broadcasted in local televisions.

“Sports not Drugs” was the theme of this year’s activities in commemoration of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, June 26^th. The UNDCP project office in Albania in cooperation with the Albanian Youth Council, Aksion Plus and Albanian Olympic Committee (AOC) organized a number of sport activities by the seaside, encouraging the participation of hundreds of youngsters from youth centers of Tirana, Durres, Berat and Vlora. Mr. Stavri Bello, Secretary General of the AOC addressed the participants towards the participation in the sport, as a need for the social integration, as a cultural use the free time in support of their health, as a way to avoid drug abuse. Due to the high summer tourists' season, the event has drawn attention to a large number of people, as well as by media.

In order to commemorate the World Environment Day, June 5^th, several public activities were organized by GEF SGP/UNDP. In particular, in acknowledgment of active participation of local communities and institutions in the environmental protection, the award certificates given by UNV, GEF and UNDP were distributed during a special ceremony at UNDP office in Tirana. Good media coverage followed.

The EU Summit in Gothenburg, Sweden approved the open negotiations with Albania to reach the Stabilization and Association Agreement with EU. "Now, Albania has taken a new step in accomplishing a dream that was jailed for half a century, which separated it from the large European family", stated Albanian Premier, Mr. Ilir Meta in his statement shortly after the agreement was made known.