Albania’s New National Cybersecurity Strategy includes children’s online protection as one of its core objectives!

February 2021, Tirana – The Government of Albania endorsed the new five-year National Cybersecurity Strategy (2020 – 2025), which for the first time in the country’s history incorporates a dedicated chapter on children’s online protection, and as such elevates it to a higher priority level, solidifying the State's commitment to keeping children safe in every environment.

The development and introduction of the specific chapter on children in the national strategy is a result of the intensive work of multiple stakeholders, including vested institutions, national regulator, law enforcement, and more importantly the ICT industry representatives. The process was led by the National Authority for Cybersecurity and Electronic Certification (AKCESK) and supported by UNICEF, which also ensured that children’s opinion and their experiences were taken into consideration.

The adoption of the strategy comes at a critical moment, when millions of children globally, and in Albania, switched to online learning and communication as a result of Covid19, which brought some relief and opportunities but also heightened their exposure to online risks. 

 “We want to applaud and acknowledge the Government of Albania’s commitment and AKCESK’s hard work in making sure that children’s protection online is taken seriously and outlined in such an important document. This is also in line with country’s aspiration to align its legal and policy framework to the European Union” – says Roberto De Bernardi, UNICEF Representative in Albania. “Children’s sexual abuse on the internet is growing at an unprecedented speed around the world and Albanian children are not safe unless the State takes decisive and profoundly concrete measures. The strategy is only the first building block on the long pathway to build thriving but safe online environment for our children and therefore UNICEF re-affirms its commitment to achieve this goal”.

“This strategy is the result of our fruitful and impactful collaboration with relevant stakeholders and UNICEF in Albania, which we believe must continue for children’s protection online. We have a long way ahead to ensure children are safe and secure in the digital environment and we look forward to continuing our partnership with UNICEF in implementing the strategy for the benefit of every child, parent, teacher and caregiver.” – says Mrs. Vilma Tomco, General Director of the National Authority for Cybersecurity and Electronic Certification.

Download the unoffical translatio of the Strategy here

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