The Convention is a framework that sets out the basic principles of all the activities of the Alpine Convention and contains general measures for the sustainable development in the Alpine region. It entered into force on March 1995. The Convention text can be downloaded as a pdf.
Article 1 | Scope
Article 2 | General obligations
Article 3 | Research and systematic monitoring
Article 4 | Legal, scientific, economic and technical cooperation
Article 5 | Conference of Contracting Parties
Article 6 | Functions of the Conference
Article 7 | Decisionmaking within the Conference
Article 8 | Permanent Committee
Article 9 | Secretariat
Article 10 | Amendments to the Convention
Article 11 | Protocols and amendments thereto
Article 12 | Signature and ratification
Article 13 | Denunciation
Article 14 | Notifications
The Federal Republic of Germany,
the French Republic,
the Italian Republic,
the Republic of Slovenia,
the Principality of Liechtenstein,
the Republic of Austria,
the Swiss Confederation
and the European Economic Community,
aware that the Alps are one of the largest continuous unspoilt natural areas in Europe, which, with their outstanding unique and diverse natural habitat, culture and history, constitute an economic, cultural, recreational and living environment in the heart of Europe, shared by numerous peoples and countries,
recognizing that the Alps constitute the living and economic environment for the indigenous population and are also vitally important for extraAlpine regions, being the site of important transport routes, for example,
recognizing the fact that the Alps constitute an essential habitat and last refuge for many endangered species of plants and animals,
aware of the substantial differences existing between national legal systems, natural conditions, population distribution, agriculture and forestry, the state and development of the economy, the volume of traffic and the nature and intensity of tourism,
aware that the evergrowing pressures caused by man are increasingly threatening the Alpine region and its ecological functions, and that the damage is either irreparable or rectifiable only with great effort, at considerable cost and, as a rule, over a long period of time,
convinced of the need for economic interests to be reconciled with ecological requirements,
following the outcome of the first Alpine Conference of Environment Ministers held in Berchtesgaden from 9 to 11 October 1989,
have agreed as follows:
In the areas specified in Article 2, the Contracting Parties agree to:
At its meetings, the Conference shall examine the implementation of the Convention and Protocols, together with Annexes, and, in particular, shall carry out the following functions at its meetings:
The Conference may decide unanimously to set up a permanent secretariat.
Any Contracting Party may submit proposals for amendments to this Convention to the Contracting Party presiding over the Conference. Such proposals shall be communicated to the Contracting Parties and signatory States by the Contracting Party presiding over the Conference at least six months before the Conference meeting at which they are to be considered. Amendments to the Convention shall come into force in accordance with Article 12 (2), (3) and (4).
The depositary shall notify each of the Contracting Parties and signatory States of:
In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorized thereto, have signed this Convention.
Done at Salzburg on 7 November 1991 in the German, French, Italian and Slovene languages, each text being equally binding, the original text shall be deposited in the Austrian State archives The depositary shall send a certified CODV to each of the signatory States.