The origins of the Alpine Convention
Due to the expansion of the power generation and tourism in the Alps, it was becoming apparent in the period directly after WWII that cross-border environmental problems were an international concern.
However, at that time, there was no internationally binding organisational framework to implement measures for cross-border cooperation.First international efforts
The first international milestone towards a multilateral contractual instrument for the Alpine region was set up with the “Council of Europe Resolution on the Ecological Charter for Mountain Regions in Europe” in 1976.
The next initiative took place in Lugano in 1978 on the occasion of the Congress of the Council of Europe in the Alpine regions, where there was a parliamentary meeting of the European Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. The final declaration, referring to the fact that an international legal instrument was lacking, constituted another step.
Initiative of the Working Group of the Alpine Countries
Once again, governments were not the ones to take the next step. It is thanks to regional cooperative activities connected by working groups that a common approach for the development and security of the Alpine area (1974 -1981) was established. The Working Group of the Alpine Countries (ARGE ALP) deserves particular mention here as the first institution founded for cross-border cooperation.
An initiative taken by CIPRA
In the second half of the 1980's, the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps (Commission Internationale pour la Protection des Alpes-CIPRA) finally took the initiative to draw up an international treaty system—regarded sceptically by regional and local political representatives at the time.
Nevertheless, planning continues from the basics to a convention. This happened not least due to the fact that alarming results emerged at a conference in Lindau in 1988 regarding the ecological situation within the Alpine region. The absence of binding international instruments was emphasised as part of the overall problem.
The First Alpine Conference in 1989
Pressured by the forthcoming introduction of the Common European Market by the Maastricht Treaty, CIPRA strengthened its initiatives towards the fulfilment of the Alpine Convention.
On the initiative of Klaus Töpfer, then the German Minister of the Environment, the first international Alpine Conference for Ministers of the Environment was called in Berchtesgaden in 1989. Ministers from Germany, France, Italy, Yugoslavia, Liechtenstein, Austria, Switzerland and the European Commission adopted a joint, 89-point, comprehensive resolution. Point 88 called for the development of a framework convention under Austrian leadership.
22.03.2006, Lebensministerium V/9