Alpine Conference
The Alpine Conference is the political decision-making body of the Alpine Convention and meets at ministerial level. Meetings of the Conference are usually held every two years by the Contracting Party holding the Presidency of the Convention (usually one country holds the presidency for two years). The official languages of the Alpine Conference are French, German, Italian, and Slovene.
The United Nations, its specialised agencies, the Council of Europe, and all European countries may attend the meetings as Observers. The same applies to cross-border associations of Alpine territorial authorities. In addition, relevant NGOs may be admitted as Observers. Decisions are adopted on the basis of consensus.
Current President:
Gilberto Pichetto Fratin
Minister for the Environment and Energy Security
Via Cristoforo Colombo 44
00147 Roma
Italy
Legal basis:
Art. 5, 6 and 7 of the Alpine Convention
Rules of Procedure of the Alpine Conference*
*courtesy English translation provided by the Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention.
| Country | Minister | Address |
|---|---|---|
Presidency |
President of the Alpine Conference | Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Sicurezza Energetica Via Cristoforo Colombo 44 00147 Roma Italia |
| Austria | Federal Minister Norbert Totschnig | Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Klima- und Umweltschutz, Regionen und Wasserwirtschaft Stubenring 1 1010 Wien Österreich |
| France | Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher | Ministère de la Transition écologique, de la Biodiversité, de la Forêt, de la Mer et de la Pêche Hôtel de Roquelaure 246 boulevard Saint-Germain 75007 Paris France |
| Germany | Federal Minister Carsten Schneider | Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Klimaschutz, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit Stresemannstraße 128-130 10117 Berlin Deutschland |
| Liechtenstein | Deputy Prime Minister Sabine Monauni | Ministerium für Äusseres, Umwelt und Kultur Regierungsgebäude Peter-Kaiser-Platz 1 9490 Vaduz Fürstentum Liechtenstein |
| Monaco | Government Counsellor - Minister Céline Caron-Dagioni | Principauté de Monaco, Département de l'Équipement, de l'Environnement et de l'Urbanisme Ministère d'État Place de la Visitation - BP 522 98000 Ville de Monaco Monaco |
| Slovenia | Minister of natural resources and spatial planning Jože Novak | Ministrstvo za naravne vire in prostor Dunajska 48 1000 Ljubljana Slovenija |
| Switzerland | Federal Councillor Albert Rösti | Eidgenössisches Departement für Umwelt, Verkehr, Energie und Kommunikation, UVEK Bundeshaus Nord Kochergasse 10 3003 Bern Schweiz |
| EU | Commissioner Jessika Roswall | European Commission Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 200 1049 Brussels Belgium |
| No. | Date | Location | The Presidency was passed to |
|---|---|---|---|
| XVIII | 22 January 2025 | Brdo, Slovenia | Italy |
| XVII | 27 October 2022 | Brig, Switzerland | Slovenia |
| XVI | 10 December 2020 | online | Switzerland |
| XV | 4 April 2019 | Innsbruck, Austria | France |
| XIV | 13 October 2016 | Grassau, Germany | Austria |
| XIII | 21 November 2014 | Torino, Italy | Germany |
| XII | 7 September 2012 | Poschiavo, Switzerland | Italy |
| XI | 8-9 March 2011 | Brdo, Slovenia | Switzerland |
| X | 12 March 2009 | Evian, France | Slovenia |
| IX | 9 November 2006 | Alpbach, Austria | France |
| VIII | 16 November 2004 | Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany | Austria |
| VII | 19-20 November 2002 | Merano, Italy | Germany |
| VI | 30-31 October 2000 | Lucerne, Switzerland | Italy |
| V | 16 October 1998 | Bled, Slovenia | Switzerland |
| IV | 25-26 February 1996 | Brdo, Slovenia | Slovenia |
| III | 20 December 1994 | Chambéry, France | Slovenia |
| II | 6-7 November 1991 | Salzburg, Austria | France |
| I | 9-11 October 1989 | Berchtesgaden, Germany | Austria |
XVIII Alpine Conference
The XVIII Alpine Conference took place on 22 January 2025 in Brdo (SI) under the Slovenian Presidency. The decisions and attachments to the decisions of the XVIII Alpine Conference are available in German, French, Italian, and Slovenian.
The Alpine Conference focused on:
- The Tenth Report on the State of the Alps on Quality of Life in the Alps introducing a common concept of quality of life and providing new knowledge. It identifies major challenges, topics, and elements that shape quality of life in the Alpine region.
- Recommendations on climate change education in the Alps as well as good practice examples to address the Alpine region's vulnerability to climate change offering guidance for future work in this area.
- A Policy Brief on Biodiversity in the Alps providing strategic guidance for the process of translating the global biodiversity goals to the Alpine level, specifically in the fields of nature conservation, connectivity, restoration, and monitoring.
- A political debate on the impacts of natural hazards to discuss how to prevent natural disasters from affecting the quality of life in the Alps.
The winners of the Young Academics Award were also announced in the framework of the Conference.
Information note for journalists (English) and press release in German, French, Italian, and Slovenian.
XVII Alpine Conference
The XVII Alpine Conference took place on 27 October 2022 in Brig (CH) under the Swiss Presidency. The decisions and attachments to the decisions of the XVII Alpine Conference are available in German, French, Italian, and Slovenian.
The Alpine Conference focused on:
- A discussion on Alpine towns and the adoption of the Ninth Report on the State of the Alps on this topic;
- The adoption of the Multi-Annual Work Programme 2023-2030;
- A debate on the impacts of climate change on the water cycle in the Alps.
Press release in German, French, Italian, and Slovenian.
XVI Alpine Conference
The XVI Alpine Conference was held on on 10 December 2020 under the French Presidency. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Conference took place virtually. The decisions and attachments to the decisions of the XVI Alpine Conference are available in German, French, Italian, and Slovenian.
The main focus of the Alpine Conference was on:
- A debate on air quality in the Alps including the approval of the 8th Report on the State of the Alps;
- A debate on climate change including the adoption of the Alpine Convention’s Climate Action Plan 2.0;
- The adoption of the Declaration on integrated and sustainable water management in the Alps;
- The adoption of the Declaration on the Protection of Mountain Biodiversity and its Promotion at International Level.
Information note
Press release in German, French, Italian and Slovenian
XV Alpine Conference
The XV Alpine Conference was held on 4 April 2019 in Innsbruck (AT) under the Austrian Presidency.
The decisions and attachments to the decisions of the XV Alpine Conference are available in German, French, Italian, and Slovenian.
In particular, the Alpine Conference deliberated the following topics:
- Climate change in the Alps: Declaration of Innsbruck, Alpine Climate Target System 2050, Natural Hazard Risk Governance
- Sustainable use and protection of Alpine soils
Press release*
Information note
*courtesy English translation provided by the Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention
XIV Alpine Conference
The XIV Alpine Conference was held on 13 October 2016 in Grassau (DE) under the German Presidency.
The decisions and attachments to the decisions of the XIV Alpine Conference are available in German, French, Italian, Slovenian.
In particular, the Alpine Conference deliberated the following topics:
- Green Economy: Declaration of the XIVth Alpine Conference on Fostering a Sustainable Economy in the Alps* and adoption of the 6th Report on the State of the Alps "Greening the Economy in the Alpine Region"
- Adoption of the Multiannual Work Programme 2017-2022: Declaration "The Alps - pioneer region for sustainable living in the centre of Europe"*
* courtesy English translation provided by the Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention
XIII Alpine Conference
The XIII Alpine Conference was held on 21 November 2014 in Torino (IT) under the Italian Presidency.
The decisions and the attachments to the decisions of the XIII Alpine Conference are available in German, French, Italian, and Slovenian.
In particular, the Alpine Conference deliberated the following topics:
- Climate Change: Guidelines for Climate Change Adaptation at the Local Level in the Alps, Joint Alpine – Carpathian Statement On Adaptation to Climate Change and Decision of the Alpine Conference on Climate Change and Energy - in German, French, Italian, and Slovenian
- Forest: Statement on Forest
- Macroregional Strategy: Statement on EUSALP - in German, French, Italian, and Slovenian
- Programme of the German Presidency - in German, French, Italian, and Slovenian
- Activity Report of the Italian Presidency 2013-2014
XII Alpine Conference
The XII Alpine Conference was held on 7 September 2012 in Poschiavo (CH) under the Swiss Presidency.
Decisions of the XII Alpine Conference*
The attachments to the decisions are available in German, French, Italian, and Slovenian.
* courtesy English translation provided by the Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention
XI Alpine Conference
The XI Alpine Conference was held on 8-9 March 2011 in Brdo (SI) under the Slovenian Presidency.
Decisions of the XI Alpine Conference*
The attachments to the decisions are available in German, French, Italian, and Slovenian.
Press release is available in German, French, Italian, and Slovenian.
*courtesy English translation provided by the Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention
X Alpine Conference
The X Alpine Conference was held on 12 March 2009 in Evian(FR) under the French Presidency.
Decisions of the X Alpine Conference*
The attachments to the decisions are available in German, French, Italian, and Slovenian.
Press release is available in German, French, Italian, and Slovenian.
*courtesy English translation provided by the Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention
IX Alpine Conference
The IX Alpine Conference was held on 9 November 2006 in Alpbach (AT) under the Austrian Presidency.
Decisions of the IX Alpine Conference*
The attachments to the decisions are available in German, French, Italian, and Slovenian.
* courtesy English translation provided by the Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention
VIII Alpine Conference
The VIII Alpine Conference was held on 16 November 2004 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (DE) under the German Presidency.
The decisions and the attachments to the decisions of the VIII Alpine Conference are available in German, French, Italian, and Slovenian.
VII Alpine Conference
The VII Alpine Conference was held on 19-20 November 2002 in Merano (IT) under the Italian Presidency.
The decisions and attachments to the desicions of the VII Alpine Conference are available in German, French, Italian and Slovenian.
VI Alpine Conference
The VI Alpine Conference was held on 30-31 October 2000 in Lucerne (CH) under the Swiss Presidency.
The decisions of the VI Alpine Conference are available in German, French, Italian, and Slovenian.
V Alpine Conference
The V Alpine Conference was held on 16 October 1998 in Bled (SI) under the Slovenian Presidency.
The decisions of the V Alpine Conference are available in German, French, Italian, and Slovenian.
IV Alpine Conference
The IV Alpine Conference was held on 25-26 February 1996 in Brdo (SI) under the Slovenian Presidency.
The decisions of the VI Alpine Conference are available in German, French, Italian, and Slovenian.
III Alpine Conference
The III Alpine Conference was held on 20 December 1994 in Chambéry (FR) under the French Presidency.
The decisions of the III Alpine Conference are available in German, French, Italian, and Slovenian.
II Alpine Conference
The II Alpine Conference was held on 6-7 November 1991 in Salzburg (AT) under the Austrian Presidency.
I Alpine Conference
The I Alpine Conference was held on 9-11 October 1989 in Berchtesgaden (DE).
The AlpWeek is an international event dedicated to sustainable development in the Alps. It is organised by a group of key Alpine organisations which are particularly engaged in science, environmental protection, and regional and sustainable development. AlpWeeks are held every four years. They are open to the public and aim to raise awareness and facilitate dialogue and cooperation among Alpine stakeholders.
AlpWeek 2024
The 8th edition of AlpWeek dedicated to “Alps in our hands” took place from 23-25 September in Nova Gorica (SI).Twenty years after the first AlpWeek it provided a platform to assess the progress made in safeguarding the Alpine region’s biodiversity, combating climate change, and improving the quality of life for Alpine communities. In this regard AlpWeek 2024 was not only a celebration of past achievements but also a catalyst for future action. More than 200 participants actively engaged in discussions and workshops focused on shaping the next 20 years of sustainable development – true to the AlpWeek’s theme “Alps in our hands”.
Brochure
Further information about AlpWeek 2024
Programme with detailed information
AlpWeek 2022
The ecological transition is already happening in the Alps – and we are in the middle of it. To shine a light on the different aspects of transition in the Alps, the 7th edition of AlpWeek dedicated to “Alps in transition” took place in Brig-Glis (CH) from 5-7 September 2022. Workshops, excursions, keynote speeches, plenaries, and a presentation of multiple youth-driven projects by young people in the context of a CIPRA Youth Council event animated over 110 participants to rethink lifestyles in the Alps and to foster an ecologically, socially, and economically sustainable transition.
Further information about AlpWeek 2022
AlpWeek Intermezzo 2020
An AlpWeek Intermezzo also took place in 2020. The event, originally planned back-to-back with the Alpine Conference and the EUSALP Annual Forum in Nice, was organised as an online event. The sessions of the AlpWeek Intermezzo 2020 centred on the topic of “Youth & Climate”, giving the word to young people from all across the alpine arc to present their projects and plans as well as express their concerns and hopes for a sustainable future in the Alps.
Further information about AlpWeek Intermezzo 2020
AlpWeek Intermezzo 2019
Like its bigger sister, the quadrennial AlpWeek, Alpweek Intermezzo is an international event on sustainable development and related Alpine issues, jointly organised by key Alpine organisations. The 2019 event was conceived as a lunch-to-lunch conference which brought together the main Alpine stakeholders to meet and exchange views on the topic “Tomorrow in the Alps”. It took place in April 2019 in Innsbruck (AT).
Further information about AlpWeek Intermezzo 2019
AlpWeek 2016
AlpWeek 2016 was dedicated to the manifold relations between the Alps and the people who live and work there or who come to visit. It took place in October 2016 in Grassau/Achental (DE). The people in the Alps are facing significant future challenges, but they are also the key players to cope with them. The AlpWeek intended to share existing Alpine experiences to identify new and promising solutions for the challenges at hand. These solutions should address the specificities of the alpine region(s) and respect the social, cultural and natural heritage. AlpWeek 2016 provided a forum for a broad and diversified dialogue focusing on three main fields of action: demography, culture, and quality of life.
Further information about AlpWeek 2016
AlpWeek 2012
For the first time in the history of the Alpine Convention, the conference of ministers from its signatory states took place during the AlpWeek. It was held in September in 2012 in Poschiavo (CH). By holding these events at the same time, the Swiss Presidency of the Alpine Convention sent a signal, bringing together all states and organisations engaged in the Alpine space. AlpWeek is the right place and time to meet, as it is organised by many of the observers of the Alpine Convention.
Further information about AlpWeek 2012