Ambassador Laurent Stefanini,
President of the Permanent Committee of the Alpine Convention
Welcome to the Alpine Convention website.
The key event for the beginning of 2009 is the Alpine Conference which will take place in Evian (France) on the 11th and 12th March 2009.On this occasion, France will hand over the presidency to Slovenia.
France, which has been assuming the Alpine Convention rotating presidency since November 2006, fixed two main objectives: first of all, fight against climate change and secondly, support sustainable tourism. On the latter subject, France launched in November 2008, and in collaboration with the Permanent Secretariat, a call for applications for sustainable and innovative tourism achievements in the Alps. Any of the eight countries from the Alpine Convention could take part. This call was aimed at companies, local and regional authorities, and public or private organizations that have managed such achievements in the Alpine region.
This call was extremely successful as 29 applications were received.
The winners will be honoured in Evian. As a prize, each successful project will affix the EU and Alpine Convention logos as well as a sign stating “Exemplary sustainable tourism achievement of the Alpine Convention – year 2008”. A video, funded by the French presidency and describing the call for applications, its objectives and the winning projects, will be made and will be handed out to each signatory State and each winner for them to use in their advertising campaigns.
Regarding the second common thread of the French Presidency, namely the fight against climate change, the Climate Action Plan, launched in 2006 under the Austrian Presidency at the Alpine Conference in Alpbach, will be passed by the Environment Ministers in Evian. Several areas, such as transport, tourism or land management, could benefit from these measures.
As wilderness areas remain a constant priority, the Alpine Conference will also be a great opportunity for France (Marie-Odile Guth) to take over from Germany at the head of the platform dedicated to such areas.
Finally, the second report on the state of the Alps (RSA), which main theme is water, and the creation of an interdisciplinary platform on water will be on the agenda. The theme for the third RSA will also be chosen.
Until the next editorial, best wishes for 2009.
