Become a
Member

This area is dedicated to national climbing and mountaineering organisations interested in becoming a member of the UIAA. The UIAA represents 94 member organisations from 69 countries on six continents and welcomes applications for new memberships with the scope of becoming an even greater global mountain network.

Types of
Membership

The UIAA does not accept individual memberships. Only national climbing and mountaineering associations are eligible to join the UIAA as Active (Full) Members.

Active/Full Members and Associate Member

For each country, only one mountaineering association has the full right of vote at the annual UIAA General Assembly (Active/Full Member). More than one mountaineering association from a country can become an Associate Member without voting rights, except on financial matters, provided they are of national or relevant regional importance. A decision on the admission of such associations will only be made after consultation with the member association which holds the voting rights of the relevant country and having due regard to that association’s comments.

Observer Members

The UIAA also has Observer Members who do not have the right to vote but are eligible to participate in certain services. Observer members are generally other international organisations rather than national climbing federations.

MEMBER STATUS

FULL / ACTIVE

One (1) per country

Voting Rights: Full

Commission Representation: Yes

MEMBER STATUS

ASSOCIATE

No quota, agreement with full/active member

Voting Rights: On Financial Matters

Commission Representation: Yes

MEMBER STATUS

OBSERVER

No quota, agreement with full/active member

Voting Rights: None

Commission Representation: Yes

Benefits of
joining UIAA

Member organisations become part of a global organisation recognised by the International Olympic Committee. They are united by their passion for climbing and mountaineering and a commitment to improve all aspects of the sport including health, equipment, safety, competition climbing, access and the preservation of the mountain environment.

More specifically, member federations gain the following privileges:

  • Nominate delegates to sit on UIAA Commissions that work year-round on Access, Anti-Doping, Ice Climbing (currently a Governance Group),  Legal, Medical, Mountaineering, Mountain Protection, Safety, Training and Youth. All Commissions offer a fundamental service to the global climbing and mountaineering community bringing together experts in their respective fields
  • Eligibility for subsidised access to the UIAA Mountain Qualification Labels for leaders and instructors in climbing and mountaineering.
  • Observer Members who do not have the right to vote are eligible to participate in Training Qualification Labels courses after payment of an additional fee of 800 Swiss Francs CHF on top of the usual course fee. This additional fee is not applicable to Active and Associate Members.
  • Option of sending athletes to compete in the UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour and the UIAA World Youth Ice Climbing Championships.
  • Participation in the development of international standards, as part of the UIAA Safety Label, setting the highest standards for climbing and mountaineering equipment.
  • Members can send participants to UIAA Global Youth Summit climbing and mountaineering events around the world.
  • Members can also qualify or discounts as part of the UIAA Mountain Hut Exchange project offering discounts across Europe and North America.
  • Advocacy and representation. Become part of the global mountain network, exchange best practices with other federations, ensure your voice is heard on a global scale, benefit from the wide reach of the UIAA’s advocacy and partnerships.

How much does it cost?

  • Membership fees are on a sliding scale and calculated based on the number of members that belong to an individual federation.
  • The minimum fee for 0-300 members is 508 Swiss Francs (CHF) while the maximum for the federation with around one million members is approximately 23,000 Swiss Francs (CHF).
  • In general matters, members are entitled to have 1 (one) vote. However, on financial, membership and admission issues, voting rights are calculated based on the number of members per federation.

How to apply?

To apply to become a member, please send the following information to the UIAA office:

  • A complete and signed online application form
  • Proof that your association has existed for at least two years (for example audited accounts, published annual reports etc).
  • A deposit of 500 Swiss francs.

For more information please read the following two documents:

Interested in becoming a member?

PARTNERS

Belly Peak Outlook Foundation

Outdoor Research

Petzl Foundation

Recognised by the
IOC since 1995

INTERNATIONAL OBSERVER MEMBERS

ICAR

IFMGA

UIMLA

ISA

UNIT MEMBER

ISF

MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS

ARISF

Mountain Research Initiative

Peace & Sport

Sport Accord

UN Environment Porgramme