The UIAA held its latest online member federation update at the end of September. These twice-yearly events provide a forum for the UIAA to present updates on the services it is delivering to members and in this particular case offered an opportunity to address the main talking points and agenda items at November’s annual UIAA General Assembly (GA) in Malta. Below is a summary of the key takeaways.
New UIAA CEO appointed
Shortly before the meeting, the UIAA announced the appointment of André von Rotz as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Von Rotz will succeed Nils Glatthard and assume the position on a full-time basis from 1 February 2025. Further details can be found here.
André von Rotz, new UIAA Chief Executive Officer
The future of competition ice climbing was a key part of the meeting
Photo credit: UIAA/Julia Roger-Veyer
New Strategic Plan 2025-2028
UIAA Executive Committee member Simon Alden outlined the progress made in drafting the new UIAA Strategic Plan, to be voted on at the upcoming GA. It will cover the four-year cycle 2025 to 2028. Development plans will be created around the following defined strategic areas of priority:
Wider global representation:
- Further develop global UIAA membership by providing leadership and tangible benefits
- Implement development programmes for future members
- Grow beyond 100 members for the UIAA’s centenary in 2032, in particular in areas of the world where the UIAA is currently underrepresented
Rock climbing and hiking
- Greater representation for rock climbers and hikers who constitute a significant segment of the membership base
- More resources aimed at identifying and addressing the needs of hikers and climbers
- Support for both bolting and climbing festivals
Ice climbing
- Support and develop ice climbing as a sustainable, global sport
- Further development of the UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour
- Pathway to Winter Olympic Games participation
- Launch of new operating unit (see below)
Safety Centre of Excellence
- A commissions “joint venture” involving Safety, Training, Legal Affairs and Medical Commissions
- Build on UIAA’s expertise, experience and reputation
- Promote continual development and improvement of gear, technical, medical safety standards and accident prevention
- Promote the UIAA as the recognised global leader in all aspects of climbing safety
Training and Development
- Build on UIAA’s training standards and certificates, knowledge and experience
- Strengthen Training Commission organisation and structure to create a solid foundations for growth
- Promote its standard programmes more widely and develop training structures to suit the needs of individual federations in various stages of maturity
Climate Change and Sustainability
- Commitment to UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework
- Lean on best available research, data and practices
- Minimise impact in the mountains and natural environment
- Provide guidance to member federations based on their particular needs through climate change action plans and the Sustainability Charter (see below)
Financial Development
- Develop financial resources and stability
- Renewing existing and attracting new partnerships
- Expand income via commissions
- Apply for public funding
Articles of Association & World Ice Climbing
The UIAA presented a number of proposals for changes to its Articles of Association. These include the creation of an operating unit ‘World Ice Climbing’ for ice climbing – and for the UIAA and the GA to be able to create operating units in general; a new membership fee ‘staircase’ model – designed to streamline administration and address disparities among members based on economic factors and to better incorporate members’ own membership; changes to the process for granting honorary membership; and an increase in the number of UIAA Court members. These will be presented, and voted on, at the GA.
Sustainability Charter & Climate Action Plans
The UIAA Mountain Protection Commission presented information on the UIAA Sustainability Charter (a long-awaited update of the 2002 UIAA Environmental Guidelines), penned for release this month. This will be both as a short-form synopsis and long-form document. The latter, fruit of a number of years of research and development, is designed to guide the UIAA and its members in federation addressing climate change and promoting social responsibility. It will also act as a live document with its messages regularly tied to real world case studies and aligned to the UIAA’s own work.
While the Sustainability Charter’s principal target are climbing and mountaineering organisations it provides principles and guidance for the UIAA’s internal climate action plan and the climate action plan for member federations. This latter is based on four pillars – commit, mitigate, adapt, advocate. Extensive information on both the Sustainability Charter and climate action plans will be released over the coming weeks and months.
During the meeting, MPC member Mary Sanseverino also presented the UIAA’s involvement in the UN International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation for 2025. This includes celebrating the inaugural World Glacier Day on 21 March. A dedicated communication plan, to be supported by the work and insights of UIAA member associations, is being put in place. Further information on the UIAA’s role will be presented ahead of 11 December’s International Mountain Day.
Declaration on Climbing & Mountaineering
As per the Sustainability Charter, the UIAA has worked diligently on another new declaration, spearheaded by the Mountaineering Commission in collaboration with the Mountain Protection Commission, and dedicated more broadly to the ethics/style, balancing risks & failure and rights and responsibilities. This will also be a living document, with the UIAA providing guidance, context and case studies for each of its governing nine points. Pending approval at the GA, the document will be released shortly after.
UIAA Publications
The UIAA has made impressive progress in the delivery of a number of new publications. This includes a revision to the English language version of the Alpine Handbook, in partnership with Petzl Foundation. In addition to updates throughout the document, it features new chapters on orientation and meteorology. Members have received an invite to order print copies. The availability of a paid, downloadable digital version of the same document is being discussed.
In collaboration with the International Canyoning Federation and the Petzl Foundation, a dedicated handbook for Canyoning has been produced and will be available in English, French and Spanish
An update article on the progress of these publications will be published ahead of the GA. The UIAA has also worked closely with the German Alpine Club (DAV) on a translation of the DAV Bolting Guide into English. This will be freely available from the UIAA website in due course.
General Assembly in Malta
The UIAA addressed the main information related to elections at the General Assembly in Malta to take place from 8-9 November. This includes the open seats in the Executive Committee and Management Board. The deadline for applications is 11 October. Supporting documents will be made available on 25 October. The current agenda and programme can be found on the UIAA website.
Please follow updates on the UIAA website, through UIAA newsletters and on social media regarding all of the points addressed in this article. A full review of the GA will be available on 11 November.
