The Alpine Convention is the world's first treaty under international law designed to protect a mountain region. It is unique in defining a mountain region independently of national borders as a functional geographical unit, and as an important heritage and economic area that faces a common set of challenges.
Geographical scope of the Alpine Convention
The Convention encompasses all of the states through which the Alps run: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovenia and Switzerland. The Alpine Convention itself covers an area comprising 43 regions, 5,800 local authorities, and a population of around 13 million.
Swiss Presidency of the Alpine Convention
Switzerland held the Presidency of the Alpine Convention from 2021 to 2022. On 10 December, at the Alpine Conference, Switzerland took over the Presidency from France. During its two-year incumbency, Switzerland cooperated with the other Alpine States and further partners to promote climate change mitigation and adaptation in the Alpine region. The presidency of the Alpine Convention was transferred by rotation from Switzerland to Slovenia during the meeting of the environment and transport ministries of the Alpine countries in Brig (VS). The presidency of the "Zurich Process" changed from Switzerland to France.
Contact
Swiss Federal Office for Spatial Development ARE
Section International Affairs