Durrës, Albania, October 17, 2025 – Over 50 participants from all Western Balkan economies (WB6) took part in the Regional Task Force Meeting on Climate Change Adaptation in Agriculture (CCAA), organized with the support of GIZ and the Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group (SWG), on behalf of the German Government, within the Regional Climate Partnership between Germany and the Western Balkans.
The meeting opened with remarks from SWG Secretariat and DG AGRI and was chaired by SWG, ensuring an active technical exchange among ministry representatives and national experts.
Country presentations reviewed progress in applying the CCAA methodology, emphasizing the need for:
- Better data coordination and harmonized indicators,
- Integration of adaptation into agricultural planning, and
- Stronger involvement of environmental authorities.
Five thematic groups (socio-economic, soil, water, crop, livestock) identified common priorities: capacity building, regional learning, and policy harmonization.
A new Advisory Services component was presented to strengthen the role of agricultural advisors in promoting climate adaptation. By the end of 2026, at least 150 advisors will be trained through regional and national programs, accompanied by a multilingual training booklet and targeted workshops.
Participants confirmed their commitment to finalize National Strategic Outlines by 14 November 2025, ensuring consistency with the agreed methodology. The 2026 work plan foresees further Task Force meetings, regional trainings, and dissemination events, concluding with the Agricultural Policy Forum.
The Durrës meeting reaffirmed the region’s strong commitment to coordinated climate action, laying the groundwork for the next phase focused on advisory capacity and practical field measures.
