Launch of the SDG Joint Programme: Digital Agriculture and Rural Transformation in Albania (DART)

Digital transformation has the potential to revolutionize Albania’s agriculture and rural areas, enhancing productivity, resilience, and sustainability across the food system. By improving access to information, markets, and financial resources, digital tools can empower small-scale producers, boost rural employment, and strengthen transparency in agricultural value chains.

However, while digitalization offers a powerful means to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, it also presents challenges around data ethics, inclusion, and responsible technology use. Governments and institutions play a vital role in creating an enabling environment to foster digital innovation in agriculture.

Organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Albania with support from the United Nations implementing agencies, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International Labour Organization (ILO), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the “Digital Agriculture and Rural Transformation in Albania” (DART) inception workshop will gather key partners to discuss and co-design pathways for sustainable digital transformation in Albania’s agriculture. This event will kick off the design of a National Strategy for Digitalization in Agriculture, encouraging collaboration to build a forward-looking, inclusive digital strategy that aligns with Albania’s European Union accession objectives.

Agenda

10:30-12:00	Moderator: Daniela Di Gianantonio, Head of Digital Agriculture at FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia  PART I: DART official opening Welcome and opening statements: Anila Denaj, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development of Republic of Albania  Fiona McCluney, United Nations’ Resident Coordinator for Albania  Representative of the European Union in Albania  Representative Ministry of Finance and Economy  Representative Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy  Opening statements by implementing UN organizations:  Raimund Jehle, FAO Representative for Albania  Zhulieta Harasani, ILO Coordinator for Albania      Jaroslaw Ponder, Head of the ITU Office for Europe  Voices of women, farmers and youth: Evelina Azizaj, National Coordinator, Albanian Network for Rural Development  Anja Mehmeti, Member of the UN Albania Youth Advisory Group (UNYAG)
12:00-12:20	Coffee break
12:20 – 13:00	PART II: DART overview Daniela Di Gianantonio, Head of Digital Agriculture at FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia  Alessandra Molz, Senior Skills and Employability Specialist at ILO Office for Central and Eastern Europe  Valentina Stadnic, Programme Officer at ITU Office for Europe

Webcast

 

Webcast