In January 2025, the Albanian government granted Strategic Investor Status to a proposal by Jared Kushner to develop Sazan Island into a luxury tourist resort. The project, titled Sazan Island Touristic Resort, foresees an investment of €1.4 billion and plans to employ up to 1,000 people during construction and operation.

Located approximately 30 kilometres off the coast of Vlora, Sazan Island has a long military history, first developed by Italy and later by Albania. Though currently uninhabited and with limited freshwater resources, the island has become a seasonal tourist destination due to its historical fortifications and unique landscape. Until December 2024, it remained officially listed as a military asset.

According to the government decision, around 562 hectares are allocated to the project, with 45 hectares planned for development.

The proposal has raised environmental concerns due to its scale and location. Sazan Island lies close to the Narta Lagoon and Zvernec area, both of which are part of the Narta Protected Area—a site of high ecological importance, especially for migratory birds and coastal biodiversity. In addition to Sazan, Kushner has expressed interest in investing in Zvernec, which falls within this protected zone.

The Mediterranean Alliance for Wetlands is closely monitoring the situation. Large-scale tourism projects in or near protected areas must ensure that conservation values are not compromised. The case highlights the need to balance economic development with the protection of fragile ecosystems and to uphold environmental safeguards in all strategic investments.

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