Wider Global Representation
Thanks to our Working Group, efforts continue to strengthen the UIAA’s global reach beyond its traditional Northern Hemisphere base. Significant growth has been observed in Central and South America, with progress in Asia and in Africa too.
Regional meetings and recruitment of new members are ongoing and attention given to membership fee structures to support smaller federations. The UIAA has a stated ambition of representation from 100 member countries by 2032. We are well on track, we may even hit that figure this year, but wider global representation is not only about numbers. We need to support the financial and logistical barriers that remain challenges for some regions. Overall engagement and inclusivity are improving.
And these new members, they bring in different perspectives. It strengthens them and it strengthens us. It also leads to wider representation in our various structures including boards and commissions.
“This is a nifty project that is building a circular approach for managing gas canisters, a hazardous waste disposed of by the outdoor sports community. Whilst the initiative supports outdoor people to help them dispose of empty gas cartridges, at a higher level, the project also contributes to instilling a change in the consumer mindset in the Brazilian outdoor community towards more sustainable choices and behaviour.”
– UIAA Assessment Team
“This is the tenth year anniversary of the UIAA’s Mountain Protection Award. And what a great year it has been. The projects nominated and showcased in 2023 continue to show how many in the climbing community are committed to making positive change in mountains around the world. Once again all of the projects in the running for either the MPA Award or the Best New Initiative offered the project adjudicators “mountains” of amazing ideas and choice. Speaking as an adjudicator myself I can testify to the care, attention, expertise, and reflection we all bring to bear when undertaking our assessments. Speaking as the Chair of the MPA Working Group let me offer a huge thank you to all my assessment team colleagues, UIAA office support, and our sponsor Bally Peak Outlook Foundation. You, along with the MPA nominees, are a crucial part of showing that together we can make a difference when it comes to protecting the world’s mountains. Now, more than ever, mountains matter.”
– Mary Sanseverino, UIAA Mountain Protection Commission and UIAA MPA Assessment Team