In terms of international rock climbing and mountaineering conferences, Plum has proven to be a productive month, organized and participated by UIAA.
Below are the reports of the UIAA Spring Conference (and the online conference of the UIAA Member Association), as well as two events attended by UIAA representatives: the annual annual conference of the European Mountaineering Association (EUMA) and the annual technical conference of the International Alliance of International Mountaineering Guides (IFMGA-UIAGM-IVBV).
UIAA Management Committee Meeting. In Bern, Switzerland and online
The annual UIAA “Spring Conference” was held from May 9 to 10, and deputies attended and joined online at the UIAA headquarters in Bern, Switzerland. On the first day, the report on nine commissions of UIAA was devoted to, and the meeting of the main management committee was held on the second day.
Committee Reports and Projects
Each committee shared the latest information on their current projects:
- Anti-stimulant (Dr. Marija and Jelkovic): Doping control was recently provided in part of the UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour with a focus on adhering to WADA regulations and expanding education programs.
- Legal affairs (Klara dvorakova): database Legalities continue to increase in mountaineering and rock climbing accident cases. The LAC also supports other UIAA committees that have topics related to governance and compliance.
- Medical (Urs Hefti): In January, the Medical Board took the lead in drafting the UIAA statement Xenon gas use At high altitude mountaineering. The MEDCOM Working Group continues to publish papers dedicated to some of the world’s major summits. The focus of the latest publications is Mount Everest. Medcom is currently discussing how best to attend the large international conference on high altitude medicine in the UK in spring 2026.
- Mountaineering (Greg Mosley Statement on Hiking, Climbing and MountaineeringMountcom focuses on the creation of a Working Group (WGS), focusing specifically on two key strategic priorities – Hiking and Rock Climbing – and the further working group is committed to visiting the launch. The committee is also looking at how best to revive the expedition WG and Mountain Worker Initiative. also, Accident data report WG After the software launch of its reporting system database late last year, it continued to make progress in developing best practice case studies.
- Mountain area protection (Paul Kwakkenbos): UIAA Mountain Conservation Award Returned in 2025 in a new biennial format. The application process for the award is now closed, with more than 20 applications received and is currently under evaluation. The committee also worked to develop its climate action plan for UIAA members (see Special website page and video) and around International Year of Glacier Preservation.
- Safety (Lionel Kiener): Safecom has recently celebrated its 50th anniversary of major event held in Chamonix These include the annual plenary and internal meetings of the committee, public meetings and specialized seminars. Highlights include the approval of the publication of two new standards (static rope and through Ferrata architecture) and several other standards. More details will be followed soon.
- train (Steve Long): After a successful seminar in Malta at last year’s conference, similar meetings are continued this year, which coincides with the UIAA GA in Kosovo. The revised UIAA Alpine manual has been printed in English and will be purchased from June 2025. The training committee represented by Steve Long was invited to A Recent International Conference on Adventure Travel Holding in the United Arab Emirates, organized by UIAA Deputy Members Fuji Adventure Center.
- youth (Jane Carney, Vice President): The Youth Committee continues to work to define and develop the structure of global youth events under the UIAA umbrella. The focus is on improving the registration system for activities, developing lesson plans and enhancing the voices of young people in the committee structure.
Review of the Commission Member (CM) regulations revisions, including nomination recognition, mixed meeting policies and voting rights. These will be further reviewed by the Legal Affairs Committee.
UIAA Management Committee Executive Meeting
The UIAA Management Committee (MB) convened an executive meeting the next day. Key topics include review of strategic development and governance affairs.
World ice climbing board strategy
The WIC Board of Directors, led by Joanne Carilli-Stevenson, has extensive updates to the board’s progress since its inception at UIAA GA in October, including its budget and strategic roadmap for 2025-2026 until 2030. This dual-way strategy believes that both are likely to continue to develop independently in the 2030 Olympic Winter Game. Priorities are led by the committee differently, including rulebook revisions, athlete protection, funding models, federal engagement and improved media strategies.
2025 – The temporary calendar for the 2026 UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour will be released in late June. UIAA WIC Board of Directors continues to welcome Potential sponsors and partners.
EC Working Group, Governance and Membership
Progress reports were given on various EC working groups. Financial and Audit WG has summarized recommendations for updating the membership fee model. This will be the agenda item for the Kosovo GA.
Financial forecasts are proposed, showing the deficit for the first quarter of 2025. The budget plan for 2026 is underway and is closely related to strategic priorities. Financial results for 2024 have been approved and recommended to GA.
Member updates include recommendations to approve full and deputy memberships from new applicants in Congo and North Macedonia. UIAA’s global reach is expanding, guiding pilot programs to support unions in regions that UIAA has not yet represented.
Annual Reports and Communications
A new online platform for UIAA’s annual report was proposed. The 2024 annual report will be the first fully digital report that allows for greater integration with UIAA websites as well as videos and images. In terms of content, the 2024 annual report focuses more on annual achievements, the committee’s priorities, and aligned with strategic priorities. Publication is scheduled for late June.
UIAA recently conducted an advocacy campaign with all member associations, including shared digital toolkits, linking to key assets, including details Member Benefits.
Climate and environmental action
The Climate Change Task Force (CCTF) provides a report whose responsibilities currently focus on participating in the Federation and Commissions with clear goals. In addition to what is covered in the above MPC report, the event includes webinars, summits and a new program of climate ambassadors.
UIAA Online Membership Meeting
Two weeks after the UIAA Spring Meeting, an online update was held for the UIAA Member Association. Since last year’s General Assembly, the topics covered above, including the committee’s report, are progress made by UIAA and have made decisions at the MB meeting and presented to members.
European Mountaineering Association (EUMA) Conference
The 2025 EUMA Conference was held in Bohinj, Slovenia from May 16 to 18, hosted by the Slovenian Alpine Association (PZS). The event gathered 50 participants, including 24 of the 30 full members of EUMA, making it a powerful and representative meeting for the European mountaineering community.
UIAA is represented by Executive Committee member Simon Alden. His message is one of the support of UIAA and EUMA on specific projects and encourages further collaboration. Euma’s report can be found here.
IFMGA Annual Technical Conference
In late May, UIAA attended the technical meeting of the International Federation of Mountain Guides (IFMGA-UIAGM-IVBV) held at ARCO, Italy through CEO Andre von Rotz and mountain safety project manager Philippe Quintart. This important gathering brought together technical directors and experts from 28 IFMGA member associations around the world and provided five days of guests for five days of intensive professional development, knowledge exchange and international cooperation.
The Spring Technical Conference is the cornerstone of international mountain guidance standards and provides a vital platform where technical supervisors can exchange information and have a dialogue on the development of the mountain guide industry. This annual gathering aims to set an increasingly high standard for global mountaineering guide training.
“For UIAA, being present in Arco is important.OOPeration Like-minded bodies will Make positive contributions to the safety of mountain sports in the coming months and years” Von Rotz explained.
The meeting was weeks after a series of very successful meetings held by the UIAA Safety Committee in Chamonix, France. Many notable steps were taken at the meeting to enhance the synergy between UIAA and IFMGA.
This includes the appointment of Alessandro Bellini as the IFMGA representative of the UIAA Safety Committee; IFMGA was invited to contribute to the UIAA mountain sports seminar, which will be held as part of the UIAA Congress in Kosovo in October; and technical directors from IFMGA are encouraged to join the UIAA SAFECOM working group, which reaffirmed its availability to support testing and research on guiding relevant security topics.
Next meeting
one A complete list of UIAA meetings Events related to UIAA can be found on the UIAA online calendar.
2025 UIAA Conference It will be held in Peja, Kosovo from 23 to 26 October and ended at a mountain sports seminar. More details will be provided when appropriate.
