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 came 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 2024 edition was kicked-off in Ljubljana from 28-30 June 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 also supports the 2024 edition of the Photo Contest themed "Life beneath the canopies". 
• From 12 to 14 June 2024, a conference on biodiversity was 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 was organised back-to-back with the ForumAlpinum which outlined the scientific research on Alpine biodiversity and geodiversity. Find out more about the conference and the results in the padlet.
• 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 application period ended on 31 July 2024. The evaluation process is now ongoing and prizes will be awarded on 21 January in the framework of the Alpine Conference in Brdo pri Kranju (SI).
• The Presidency supported the organisation of the Alpweek by the Alpine Convention Observers, which took place from 23 to 25 September 2024 in Nova Gorica. Photos and presentations are available on the AlpWeek’s website.
• The Slovenian Presidency will conclude with the XVIII Alpine Conference on 22 January 2025 in Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia.