The 1st Albanian Raw Materials Community Dialogue: “Challenges and Perspectives of the Mining Sector in Albania and the Region in the Context of the Critical Raw Materials Act”

Tirana, May, 21-22, 2025

EIT RawMaterials Regional Innovation Centre, organised on May 21–22, 2025 the 1st Albanian Raw Materials Community Dialogue supported by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, EIT RawMaterials, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Tirana, and the Hubs4Circularity Project.

This two-day event brought together 120 senior stakeholders and policymaker, international experts, representatives from academia, private sector, and development partners at regional and international level to explore the future of critical raw materials in the region.

Representatives from government, AGS, AKBN and leading industry actors exchanged perspectives on innovation, regional cooperation, and pathways toward sustainable development.

The first day of the event focused on Albania’s critical raw materials potential and the challenges and opportunities of integrating into the European value chain. Discussions highlighted the implications of the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRM Act) for Albania and the Western Balkans, with attention given to policy alignment, investment prospects, and strategic planning. A dedicated afternoon session addressed the transition to a circular economy, showcasing national strategies, international projects, and applied research in industrial symbiosis and waste valorization.

During the opening of the First Raw Materials Community Dialogue in Albania, Ledi Moisiu, Director of the EIT RawMaterials Regional Innovation Centre, emphasized: "This dialogue follows the recent EIT RawMaterials Summit in Brussels underscoring the growing focus on critical raw materials and the emerging opportunities for innovation, business development, and academic cooperation. This event showcased the sector's strategic importance and the opportunities ahead toward a more sustainable and competitive future”.

The second day emphasized innovation and technological advancement in mining. With strong contributions from Polish companies, the event presented cutting-edge solutions in exploration, processing, and extraction. Local and regional businesses shared insights into their activities and future plans, with the goal of strengthening collaboration and promoting technology transfer and sustainable practices.

This Dialogue served as an important platform for fostering cross-sector collaboration and building momentum toward a more sustainable, resilient, and competitive raw materials sector aligned with European standards.