In accordance with Law No. 81/2017 "On Protected Areas", the totality of protected natural areas constitutes the national system of protected territories, declared by special legislation. In the categorization of protected natural areas and in determining the status for each of them, the responsible institutions in the Republic of Albania rely on the criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Ministry, in cooperation with the National Agency for the Conservation of Nature, coordinates the work on the establishment and administration of the national system of protected areas. Protected natural areas are declared by decision of the Council of Ministers, upon the proposal of the minister responsible for protected areas. The Protected Areas, Protected Terrestrial and Aquatic Landscape (PM), category 5, declared by Decision KKT No.10 Date 28.12.2020, have also been updated. The status and area of the Vjosa River protected area has also been changed from "Natural Park" to "National Park", with the Council of Ministers No. 155, dated 13.03.2023 "On the declaration of the natural ecosystem of the Vjosa River "National Park"", category II of Protected Areas. Recently updated protected areas: Pishë Poro-Nartë (based on VKM No. 596, Date 25.09.2024), Bredhi i Drenovës-Sinicë (based on VKM No. 594 Date 25.09.2024), Lumi i Bunës-Velipojë (based on VKM No. 593 Date 25.09.2024), Bjeshka e Oroshit (based on VKM No. 598 Date 25.09.2024), Kuturman-Qafë Bushi (based on VKM No. 590 Date 25.09.2024), Guri i Nikës-Valamarë-Lenie (based on VKM No. 591 Date 25.09.2024), Krastë-Verjon (based on VKM No. 595 Date 25.09.2024), Rrushkull (based on VKM No. 589 Date 25.09.2024), Bisht Kamzë (based on VKM No. 592 Date 25.09.2024), Pogradec Lake (based on VKM No. 597 Date 25.09.2024), based on the relevant VKMs approved during 2024. The data are in accordance with the State Standard for Technical Specifications of Geospatial Information in Albania - Topic: Protected Areas, approved by VKM- no. 891, date 18.11.2020.