Training
Commission
Training, which officially became an independent Commission in 2022, is one of the core services offered by the UIAA. The Mountain Qualification Label (MQL) programme is its principal offering – this being the UIAA’s internationally recognised framework for evaluating and accrediting instructor training programmes offered by UIAA member federations across climbing and mountaineering disciplines.
An MQL is a formal UIAA quality label awarded to a member federation’s instructor training programme that meets the applicable international minimum standard for a specific discipline. Accredited programmes may issue UIAA-recognised qualification certificates to instructors trained under that programme. For historical context, UIAA Mountain Qualification Label (MQL) were first adopted by the UIAA General Assembly in 1993 (Santiago, Chile).
Following a restructuring of its activities and mandate throughout 2025 and early 2026, the Training Commission resumed normal service as of May 2026.
General purpose of the UIAA Training Commission:
The Training Commission has three core functions:
- It develops and maintains international minimum standards for instructor training across climbing and mountaineering disciplines;
- It administers the MQL programme — including application, documentary review, on-site inspection, accreditation, and revalidation of Member Federation training programmes; and
- It provides subject matter expertise and guidance on training best practice to UIAA member federations.
Current MQL Qualifications
- Mountain walking and trekking
- Winter mountain walking and snowshoeing
- Sport climbing
- Rock climbing
- Ice climbing
- Canyoning
- Mountaineering (Alpine climbing)
- Ski mountaineering
The Training Commission’s activities focus on
- Developing, reviewing, and updating MQL Standards as climbing and mountaineering disciplines evolve
- Conducting and overseeing on-site inspections of member federation training programmes by qualified external Inspectors
- Supporting member federations in preparing their programmes for accreditation, including referral to experienced Mentors where appropriate
- Collaboration with other UIAA Commissions including the Safety, Medical, and Mountain Protection Commissions — and with relevant external organisations, to advance the quality and safety of climbing and mountaineering training globally
- Contributing to UIAA-wide guidance on training best practice for climbers and mountaineers
Training Commission Membership
Next Meeting
13 June (online)
Contact the
Commission
Full Members
Ron FUNDERBURKE (President)
United States (AAC)
United States (AAC)
Andreas ANDREOU Cyprus, (CMCOF)
Jan BLAZEJ Slovakia, (SMU JAMES)
Pedro CUIÇA Portugal, (FCMP)
Stephen FARRUGIA Malta, (ClimbMT)
Jorge GOMES Portugal, (FPME)
Tul Singh GURUNG Nepal, (NMA)
Stojan HADJIJEVTIMOV Republic of North Macedonia, (FPSM)
Patrick LAMARQUE France, (FFCAM)
Jordi MAGRINA GUELL Spain, (FEEC)
Abdolreza NAGHIBZADEH Iran, (IMSCF)
Serhii NEDOSIEKOV Ukraine, (UMCF)
Goran NIKOLOSKI Republic of North Macedonia, (FPSM)
Aleksandar RASIN Serbia, (PSS)
Gergo SANTHA Hungary, (MHSSZ)
Omer SHAVIT Israel, (ILCA)
Géza TÓTH Belgium, (CMBel)
Jiri VOGEL Czech Republic, (ČHS)
Mahmut YANIK (Commission Member)
Turkey (TDF)
Turkey (TDF)
Corresponding Members
Haitham ABDULKARIM United Arab Emirates, (FAC)
Francis CHARLESWORTH New Zealand, (NZAC)
Kathleen LANE Canada, (ACC)
Pak-Hang LEUNG Hong Kong, China, (HKCMCU)
Joan LUIS HARO
Laura SAMSO
Frank SPEARS Canada, (ACC)
Andrea URIBE MORÁN Mexico, (FMDMYE)
Kaivalya VARMA
