The quality of life in the Alps at the center of discussions at the 18th Ministerial Conference of the Alpine Convention

A delegation led by H.E. Mrs. Anne EASTWOOD, Ambassador of Monaco to Slovenia, participated in the Ministerial Conference of the Alpine Convention, bringing together the eight Alpine countries and the European Commission. This event, held on January 22, 2025, in Brdo (Slovenia), marked the conclusion of the program conducted under the Slovenian Presidency, which will be succeeded by Italy in 2025-2026.
The quality of life was the priority of the Slovenian presidency, which focused on it in the 10th Report on the State of the Alps. This report, based on a unique methodological approach, provides new insights into current issues, identifies the main challenges affecting the quality of life in the Alps, and offers recommendations to policymakers.
Education on climate change was also on the agenda of the Alpine Conference, which adopted a series of recommendations emphasizing the need for flexible regulatory frameworks, active engagement, and on-the-ground learning experiences. The Monegasque delegation intervened several times, notably to highlight the contribution of the Directorate of National Education, Youth, and Sports to the expert work on the subject, stressing the importance of extracurricular activities in this field.

The Alpine Ministers concluded their work by reaffirming the importance of strengthening the resilience of the Alps in the face of climate change, notably by promoting environmentally-friendly lifestyles and enhancing coordinated actions in the field of natural risk management, which is crucial in this mountainous region.
On the sidelines of the Conference, an official dinner brought together the Heads of Delegation under the presidency of the Slovenian Minister for Natural Resources and Spatial Planning. It was an opportunity to highlight the importance of developing partnerships with the private sector for implementing the recommendations and to discuss issues related to tourism, energy, and water resource management to ensure sustainable development in the region.

About the Alpine Convention
Over 30 years ago, eight countries—Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovenia, and Switzerland—and the European Union adopted the Alpine Convention. This convention underscores the importance of cross-border and intersectoral cooperation for the protection and sustainable development of the Alps.