Nicolai Haugsted
The apple doesn’t fall far from the criticized tree, apparently.
Hidden away in the Adriatic Sea sits an island few people had ever heard of until recently.
Now, Sazan Island has become the focus of a heated political and environmental debate after Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner unveiled plans for a luxury development worth an estimated $1.4 billion.
Supporters see opportunity. Critics see a threat to one of Albania’s most sensitive natural areas, according to Unilad.
A Former Military Outpost With a New Future
Speaking on the Founders podcast, Ivanka Trump described the scale of the project she is pursuing alongside her husband.
“I’m working on an incredible project with my husband in the Mediterranean,” she said.
Project centers on Sazan Island, a former Cold War military installation located off Albania’s coastline. Albanian authorities granted preliminary approval for the development in late 2024, although officials retained the right to revoke that approval at a later stage.
According to early plans, the island could eventually host luxury villas, hotels and high-end leisure facilities designed to blend into the surrounding landscape.
Ivanka Trump explained that the couple first encountered the island years ago while sailing through the region with friends.
What began as a visit to an isolated stretch of coastline later evolved into a major investment proposal.
“We developed the opportunity to help realize its potential and transform it,” she said.
She also stressed that the project is intended to be carried out with restraint, arguing that the island’s natural beauty should remain central to its design.
Environmental Concerns Spark Protests
Opposition to the development has grown steadily across Albania.
Environmental groups have warned that construction could affect protected wildlife habitats and sensitive ecosystems along the Adriatic coast.
Thousands of demonstrators have taken part in protests in Tirana, with many carrying signs and cardboard flamingos representing migratory bird species that rely on the region.
Further demonstrations have taken place outside government offices, while activists have criticized efforts to prepare parts of the area for future construction.
Government Sees Economic Potential
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has welcomed the investment, viewing it as a chance to boost tourism and attract international capital.
Supporters argue that projects of this size could create jobs and help position Albania as a more prominent destination in the Mediterranean travel market.
Critics, however, contend that economic gains should not come at the expense of protected landscapes and public access to coastal areas.
As planning continues, Sazan Island has become the latest battleground in a wider debate over development, conservation and how far governments should go when courting major foreign investors.
