The Ministry of Environment () is the department of the Government of Albania responsible for developing the government policy on prevention of pollution, protecting the natural heritage, biodiversity, forests, sea, water and energy.
In September 2025, the department split from the Ministry of Tourism and Environment and became an independent ministry once again. The current officeholder is Sofjan Jaupaj.
History
The Department of Environment was first established on 13 April 1992, in what is called the first Meksi I Government, where together with that department of Health they created the Ministry of Health and Environment. This came as a need for better management of natural resources, protection of forests, and better management of waste and natural pollution. Also with the establishment of the capitalist system in the country, the need for a special department that would give permissions for the use of natural and mineral resources became even greater until in 2001, while in the new Meta Government this department became a separate ministry and was considered one of the most important government ministries as it depended on functions directly related to the livelihood of the population. Such as environmental pollution, management of protected areas, forest management, air, water, and acoustic pollution, and many others. Today this department has joined the Department of Tourism by forming the Ministry of Tourism and Environment by linking two of the areas that according to Prime Minister Edi Rama are inseparable from each other in terms of objectives set by his government.
Reorganization Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (1928–1966) Ministry of Health and Environment (1992–1998) Ministry of Environment (2001–2005) Ministry of Environment, Forests and Water Administration (2005–2009) Ministry of Environment (2013–2017) Ministry of Tourism and Environment (2017–2025) Ministry of Environment (2025 - present)
Officeholders (1928–present) 1Ferid Vokopola11 May 192820 June 19282Musa Juka20 June 19285 March 19303Jakov Milaj12 February 194328 April 19434Gaqo Tashko5 July 195031 July 19535Peti Shamblli17 March 196613 September 1966 *Flamur Hoxha11 May 19914 June 19916Tritan Shehu13 April 199214 January 19947Maksim Cikuli14 January 19941 March 19978Astrit Kalenja11 March 199727 July 19979Leonard Solis27 July 19972 October 199810Et’hem Ruka7 September 200122 February 200211Lufter Xhuveli31 July 200229 December 2003–Et’hem Ruka29 December 200311 September 2005–Lufter Xhuveli11 September 200517 September 200912Fatmir Mediu17 September 200915 September 201313Lefter Koka15 September 201313 September 201714Blendi Klosi13 September 201718 September 202115Mirela Kumbaro18 September 202112 September 202516Sofjan Jaupaj12 September 2025incumbent
See also Environment of Albania
Sources
References