On 5th December 2024, as part of the ongoing campaign “The Journey Together to the EU” and the Week of Integrity in Albania, the Impact Assessment Institute (IAI) in Tirana, Albania, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Albania, organized a roundtable on “Strengthening Integrity & The Role of ESGs in Albania’s Path to EU Integration”.

Integrity in business and sustainable practices are integral component to aligning with the European Union’s business standards and fostering a robust, resilient economy in Albania.The roundtable highlighted the crucial role of business integrity and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices in advancing Albania’s EU integration journey.
In moderation by Mr. Erik Akse, the event was opened by His Excellency Reinout Vos, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Albania, who delivered the Opening Remarks.
The roundtable features a presentation by Mr. Marhijn Visser, Deputy Director International Affairs & ESG Lead at VNO-NCW and the Royal Association MKB – Netherlands. He provided an in-depth overview of EU ESG policy developments, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Mr. Visser also shared insights and experiences from the Dutch private sector, and concluded with actionable recommendations on how Albania can strengthen its approach to ESG, ensuring that businesses are well-prepared to meet EU demands as the country progresses on its path to EU Integration.
The discussion continued with Mr. Dritan Nako, Executive Director of the Albanian ESG Network, who discussed the Network’s vision, mission and goals. He highlighted its role in ESG directives and sustainability reporting standards, and emphasized the importance of ESGs practices as a standard operation criterion in the market.

The roundtable concluded with active audience interventions, insightful discussions and a summary of key points and recommendations focusing on how Albania can further develop its approach to ESG practices. These recommendations will underline the importance of aligning with EU standards, promoting sustainability, and fostering social responsibility. The discussion highlighted the adoption of best practices in the region and strategies to build a sustainable and competitive business environment.

Check out the Agenda of the roundtable.

On December 6, 2024, we had also the honor of contributing to Panel 1: “Educating for Integrity: Enhancing Public Administration to Foster Accountability and Combat Corruption,” at the 6th Edition of the Annual Week of Integrity Conference!