Slovenian Presidency of the Alpine Convention

In connection with these topics, the Slovenian presidency will lead or support the following activities

• The preparation of the 10^th Report on the State of the Alps on quality of life, which should be adopted by the XVIII Alpine Conference. In cooperation with the Contracting Parties, Observers, Thematic Working Bodies and stakeholders, a comprehensive review of the situation will be prepared. The findings and recommendations will be a guide for further activities as part of the implementation of the Multi-Annual Work Programme 2023-2030 in this priority area.
• The pan-Alpine network of Mountaineering Villages will come together in Slovenia from 31 May to 2 June 2024 for its annual meeting on the topic of cultural heritage. By preserving tangible and intangible cultural heritage, the Mountaineering Villages strive to strengthen both the tourism offer as well as local identities associated with belonging to the Alpine area and the quality of life of the population. The Constructive Alps exhibition – the sixth travelling exhibition showcasing sustainable renovation and construction – will also draw attention to these aspects.
• A conference on environmental education with an emphasis on climate change was organised from 28 to 29 September in Bohinj, Slovenia, under the title "Schools for climate action in the Alps". The presentations and outputs from the conference are available here. The Slovenian Presidency’s aim for the conference was to highlight experiential learning in nature as part of the formal educational process as well as an opportunity to change current behaviour and the behaviour of future generations in relation to climate change.
• In the framework of the climate change topic and youth activities, Slovenia is supporting the YOALIN project, which raises awareness about sustainable forms of travel among young people and contributes to the goals of decarbonising transport in the Alps as per the Simplon Alliance agreement. The YOALIN launch event was held from 23 to 25 June 2023 in Bohinj, Slovenia. The project will take place again in 2024.
• The 2023 edition of the Alpine Convention Photo Contest was supported by the Presidency. The topic was “From pasture to plate” and aimed to showcase the diversity of Alpine food heritage. The Presidency will also be supporting the 2024 edition, and the topic will be announced in May 2024.
• From 12 to 14 June 2024, a conference on biodiversity will be organised with an emphasis on the Alpine Convention’s contributions to the implementation of the global framework for biodiversity after 2020. The Convention's work in this field will be a point of departure to discuss future activities. The conference will be organised back-to-back with the ForumAlpinum which will outline the scientific research on Alpine biodiversity and geodiversity. Find out more in the programme and practical information note and register here.
• Responding to changes in the environment (e.g. climate change, biodiversity loss) and their role in quality of life is also the topic of the Young Academics Award, which is supported by the Slovenian Presidency in cooperation with ISCAR. The deadline for applications is 31 July 2024.
• The Presidency is supporting the organisation of the Alpweek by the Alpine Convention Observers, which will take place from 23 to 25 September 2024 in Nova Gorica.
• The Slovenian Presidency will conclude with the XVIII Alpine Conference on 22 January 2025 in Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia.