How to become a member of the UIAA

The UIAA brings together nearly three million men, women and children joined by their passion for mountains. The UIAA is an international federation, which means that our members are climbing and mountaineering associations. If your association is important in your country or region, you can apply to be a member!

Becoming a member of the UIAA will make your association a part of the global community for climbing and mountaineering. Together we share knowledge and experience. As a member you can:

• Access specialist advice through the network of UIAA volunteer experts, and share your own expertise by volunteering in the specialist commissions and the competition councils.
• Take part in the work of developing international standards, agreements and guidelines in areas such as guidebooks, instructor training, mountaineering competitive sports or environmental conduct.
• Take part in exchanges, seminars and conferences with UIAA members from other countries.
• Enter athletes in the Ice Climbing and Ski Mountaineering World Cups, World Championships and continental championships.
• Be a member of the only international mountaineering federation that is recognised by the United Nations, other international bodies and of course the Olympic Movement. This may mean that your organisation could qualify for recognition and financial support from your National Olympic Committee.
• Benefit from the UIAA’s campaigns to increase free access to mountains all over the world.

All member associations can take part in the annual General Assembly, which is the highest decision making body of the UIAA. However, only the most important national organisation or federation in a country has the right to vote on all decisions. If there is no UIAA member association in your country, you can apply for full voting rights. If there already is such an organisation, you can apply for membership with restricted voting rights.

New members must pay a one-time admission fee of 1’000 Swiss francs. The annual membership fee depends upon the number of members in your association, but the minimum fee is 1’100 Swiss francs. If you are from a low income country, it might be possible to get some help from the UIAA’s solidarity fund.

Applications for membership

To apply, please send the following information to the UIAA office.

• A complete and signed Application Form
•  Evidence which prove your association has existed for at least two years (for example audited accounts, published annual reports etc).
•  A deposit of 500 Swiss francs.

If you wish to apply for membership for your association please read carefully the Articles of Association and Standing Rules to make sure you support the work of the UIAA and understand and accept your obligations as a member. The final decision to include new members is made by the General Assembly, after the association has being checked by the Executive Board and recommended by the Management Committee.  

We hope to have your association as a member!

Individuals or organisations that are either not qualified or not interested in membership could become Observer members without the right to vote. This could for example be interesting for a small mountaineering association such as a Mountain Guide organisation or for institutions which are engaged in the study of mountains or mountain protection.

Commercial organisations might want to support the UIAA as a sponsor or apply for our UIAA Environment Label for organisers of activities who follow our guidelines for environmental conduct.

Please contact our office if you have any questions.