Law no. 57/2020 on forests. Country/Territory Albania Document type Legislation Date 2020 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Forestry Keyword Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings Basic legislation Biodiversity Capacity building Climate change Liability/compensation Data collection/reporting Ecosystem preservation Forest management/forest conservation Forest service/forest officers Forestry protection measures Collecting/harvesting Inspection Timber extraction/logging Survey/mapping Monitoring Offences/penalties Private forest Protected area Protection of environment Public forest Risk assessment/management Sustainable development Sustainable use Timber Geographical area Europe, Europe and Central Asia, Mediterranean, Southern Europe Entry into force notes This text entered into force 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette (published on 28 May 2020). Abstract The purpose of this Law is the protection of forests as assets of special importance, as an large and irreplaceable value in the protection of the climate, soil, the preservation and improvement of productive potentials, balances of the natural environment, biodiversity, genetic resources and water regime, which are also considered as obligations of national and international interest. This Law contributes to the sustainable development of forest sector, which enables a better life for society today and for future generations, by regulating relations in forest sector, which have a substantial impact on the quality of the natural environment, on the development of agriculture, energy and tourism, in poverty reduction, population displacement, mitigation of conflicts and social and gender-based inequalities, as well as in the security of the country. This Law aims to preserve, increase the area and increase the total volume of the national forest fund, regulating relations and guaranteeing financial stability, functional organization at all levels of government for the utilization and use of stable and balanced forest resources against the opportunity that forests have, without encroachment of continuity of life and cycle of forests. Likewise, the Law ensures the guarantee of quality forest services, aiming at proper protection, improvement and regeneration of forest space. This law is partially aligned with certain provisions part of several thematic European Union legislative texts, as specified in the list at the end of page 1. Full text Albanian Website qbz.gov.al References - Legislation Repeals Law No. 9385 on forests and the forestry service. Legislation | Albania | 2005 Keyword: Basic legislation, Forest management/forest conservation, Forest service/forest officers, Special fund, Non-governmental entity, Forestry protection measures, Offences/penalties Source: FAO, FAOLEX Implemented by Decision no. 559, dated 29 July 2022 determining the prices and fees for use/use of the national forest fund, for economic activities, as well as for wood and non-wood products. Legislation | Albania | 2022 Keyword: Forest management/forest conservation, Liability/compensation, Non-timber products, Public forest, Royalties/fees, Timber, Timber extraction/logging Source: FAO, FAOLEX Decision no. 284, dated 29 April 2022 determining the rules, procedures and criteria for expert's certificate in the field of forests and pastures. Legislation | Albania | 2022 Keyword: Agricultural extension, Certification, Forest management/forest conservation, Pastoralism, Research, Agricultural development Source: FAO, FAOLEX Decision no. 297, dated 17 May 2023 on the approval of procedures for carrying out exploitation activities in the national forest fund by licensed individuals or entities. Legislation | Albania | 2023 Keyword: Forest management/forest conservation, Collecting/harvesting, Non-timber products, Public forest, Right of use Source: FAO, FAOLEX Decision no. 761, dated 9 December 2021 determining the criteria and procedures for the creation of strategic reserves of standing timber (uncut), the preservation and treatment of virgin or almost virgin forests, as well as their transition to full conservation. Legislation | Albania | 2021 Keyword: Forest management/forest conservation, Forestry protection measures, Hazards, Protected area, Timber Source: FAO, FAOLEX Decision no. 558, dated 29 July 2022 determining the criteria for dividing violations with light or serious consequences and financial sanctions in the National Forestry Fund. Legislation | Albania | 2022 Keyword: Forest management/forest conservation, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Classification/declassification, Offences/penalties, Protected area Source: FAO, FAOLEX Decision no. 537, dated 22 September 2021 determining the estimated costs for compensatory afforestation in cases of changing the destination of the forest fund. Legislation | Albania | 2021 Keyword: Forest management/forest conservation, Afforestation/reforestation, Liability/compensation, Royalties/fees, Land clearing, Public forest, Public land Source: FAO, FAOLEX Order n. 254 of 11 August 2023 for the approval of the content and models of acts for misdemeanors in forests. Legislation | Albania | 2023 Keyword: Forest management/forest conservation, Offences/penalties, Data collection/reporting, Inspection, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings Source: FAO, FAOLEX Decision no. 888, dated 27 December 2022 for the cases of putting into use and for changing the category of use, procedures and relevant documentation for surface changes and reduction in volume from the national forest fund or their expansion. Legislation | Albania | 2022 Keyword: Forest management/forest conservation, Procedural matters, Public forest, Land-use planning Source: FAO, FAOLEX Decision n. 171, dated 18 March 2022 on the establishment of the database for the National Register of the Forest Fund and the Register of the Pasture Fund, definition of structure, technical criteria for the identification and reflection of the state and changes, the way of keeping data at the local, regional and central level, information that must be recorded, as well as deadlines for the preparation and reporting by forest administrators or owners. Legislation | Albania | 2022 Keyword: Forest management/forest conservation, Local government, Private forest, Public forest, Registration, Data collection/reporting, Pastoralism Source: FAO, FAOLEX Decision n. 828, dated 24 December 2021 on the approval of criteria for the exercise and monitoring of research-scientific activities in the national forest fund. Legislation | Albania | 2021 Keyword: Forest management/forest conservation, Authorization/permit, Forestry protection measures, Procedural matters, Research, Gender Source: FAO, FAOLEX