KLSH: Cultural heritage assets listed in UNESCO suffer from lack of funds, jeopardize their status

2025-11-06 22:16:00, Aktualitet CNA

KLSH: Cultural heritage assets listed in UNESCO suffer from lack of funds,

The head of the Albanian Supreme Audit Institution, Arben Shehu, in the 2024 report in the field of culture, highlights that cultural heritage assets listed by UNESCO, in cities such as Berat and Gjirokastra, suffer from a lack of management plans and funds, jeopardizing their physical condition and international status.

"In the field of culture, UNESCO-listed cultural heritage assets in cities such as Berat and Gjirokastra suffer from a lack of management plans and funding, jeopardizing their physical condition and international status."

Regarding the Education sector, Shehu stated that the management of the Excellence Fund has shown overlapping competencies between responsible institutions, leading to a lack of coordination and transparency in its administration.

"In the education and culture sector, the management of the excellence fund has shown overlapping competencies between responsible institutions, leading to a lack of coordination and transparency in its administration. The career orientation of young people within the pre-university education system is not sustainable and structured, reducing the effectiveness of this process."

Shehu further says that the management of public spaces also has shortcomings. Public beaches do not meet safety and accessibility standards.

“The management of public spaces also has shortcomings. Public beaches do not meet safety and accessibility standards. Furthermore, the expansion of contracted areas has not been accompanied by increased revenues or sustainable investments, limiting the benefits to citizens.”

Information technology audits, according to the head of the SAI, identified obvious deficiencies in policies, procedures and controls in the management of public systems, including addressing access, documentation for privileges and critical roles, as well as insufficient human capacity.

In 2024, throughout this year, the institution has filed 13 criminal reports, which include cases where the audit has found actions or inactions in violation of criminal law./ CNA