The 2025 UIAA Mountain Sports Symposium (MSS), held from 25-26 October in Peja, Kosovo, brought together over sixty participants from 27 countries to explore mountain medicine, safety, and techniques. The event was organised by the UIAA in collaboration with the Kosovo Mountaineering and Sport Climbing Federation (FBNSK), and showcased, with a particular focus on the Balkan region, the growing cross-region and international cooperation in mountain sports education and safety.
This was the second Mountain Sports Symposium organised by the UIAA following the inaugural event in Bariloche, Argentina held in April 2024.
Photo credit: Maesta Film
Photo credit: Maesta Film
Who attended the event
Presenters and attendees ranged from mountain leaders, guides, and medical experts to rescue professionals and association representatives. Many participants hailed from Balkan countries, a region rapidly developing its mountain guiding and rescue infrastructure.
The diversity of nationalities and backgrounds help create a dynamic and inclusive environment, encouraging cross-regional dialogue and shared learning – a theme which had much to share with the aforementioned event in Argentina. The thirst for further professional development resonated strongly throughout the symposium.
Photo credit: Maesta Film
What the programme covered
Over two intensive days, the MSS combined theoretical sessions and hands-on workshops.
The event opened with welcoming remarks and an introduction to Kosovo’s mountain environment from Uta Ibrahimi of the FBNSK.
The initial presentations focused on safety fundamentals, including an explanation about the UIAA Safety Label, the importance of using certified equipment, and the topic of safety in Via Ferrata (for which there are many in Kosovo and in the Balkans). This part was led by Lionel Kiener, UIAA Safety Commission President, and Mentor Vokshi from the local federation. To note that the UIAA will shortly publish a new Safety Standard dedicated to Via Ferrata construction. Kyriakos Rossidis’s subsequent presentation on the “Role of the IFMGA (International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations) / EEMGA (East European Mountain Guides Association) in Mountain Guide Education,” drew particular interest from participants keen to advance toward full professional mountain-guiding qualifications.
The UIAA Medical Commission headed the next part of the programme which featured a number of topics addressed in the UIAA’s first Mountain Sports Symposium held in Bariloche, Argentina in April 2024. Subjects ranged from hypothermia and frostbite to acclimatization and altitude illness, culminating in an engaging “High Altitude Trivia Game” that dispelled myths about altitude sickness in an interactive way. In addition to medical papers, the UIAA has also produced a number of video explainers on these critical subjects.
The second day of presentations placed an emphasis on rescue operations across the Balkans and introduced the work of the Kosovo Mountain Search and Rescue Service, followed by a presentation on medical requirements for avalanche rescue missions and panel discussions reviewing mountain rescue situations across Europe.
The final theory session was a significant one for the UIAA. SafeCom members Per Forsberg and Fred Campos presented the immense amount of work the UIAA has conducted in the field of bolting, rebolting and rock anchors. Their segment provided not only a comprehensive technical overview but lent on a sustainability perspective on the use of materials in high-exposure environments.
Photo credit: Maesta Film
Photo credit: Maesta Film
Outdoor workshops
In a similar vein to the event in Bariloche last year, the rest of the programme was devoted to field-based workshops designed to turn theory into practice. Participants rotated through small-group sessions on field reduction and improvised splinting, rescue techniques, and multi-pitch climbing safety. Under the guidance of international experts, attendees practiced moving injured companions, stretcher rescues, and anchor safety techniques, all vital skills for mountain professionals and rescuers alike.
The advantage of the outdoor workshops is they raise engagement and foster collaboration between participants who might never have met otherwise.
The Symposium concluded with a ceremony where participation certificates were awarded.
Future events
Feedback collected during and after the symposium, has to date, been extremely positive. Delegates praised the organisation, content programme, and interactive opportunities.
Plans are already being discussed for future events, potentially in Nepal, in October 2026, to coincide with the UIAA General Assembly and eventually in Africa, for which the UIAA is in discussions with federations and bodies through its Management Board continental representatives and member federations.
Photo credit: Maesta Film
Photo credit: Maesta Film
Feedback
“It was a really great event, in terms of organisation and lectures. It’s a brilliant idea to invite associations outside UIAA to share knowledge.”
Delegate, Croatian Mountain Guides Association
“The MSS was a unique opportunity for mountaineers and climbers from around the globe to meet, share precious moments in a context of peace, friendship, support and companionship”.
Maya Fourioti, Greece
“It was a great and well organised event. Both the theoretical sessions and the practical workshops were very useful, and I’m grateful to the UIAA for this valuable experience.”
Hasan Polat, Turkish Mountaineering Federation
In conclusion & thanks
The second UIAA Mountain Sports Symposium, continued where the first finished, demonstrating that effective mountain safety education thrives on international exchange, adaptable formats, and hands-on engagement. Through a blend of best practices, technique, and experience, the event succeeded in strengthening the climbing community’s capacity to operate safely, sustainably and as significantly collectively.
The UIAA thanks the Petzl Foundation for partnering the event; to Fixe for the equipment provided; all delegates and presenters and members of the following organisations – IFMGA, ICAR, UIMLA and the Kosovo Mountain Rescue Service for their support; and the UIAA Medical and Safety Commissions for the overall running of the Symposium.
Full details on the UIAA Mountain Sports Symposium can be found here.
A photo gallery from the event can be viewed here.
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