The delegation of representatives from Colombia, Peru and the Secretariat of the Initiative – Condesan – started their visit to Slovenia at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning, where the Chair of the Permanent Committee of the Alpine Conference, Mag. Emil Ferjančič, outlined the priorities of the Slovenian presidency for the next two years, and the discussion continued on the broader importance of international cooperation focusing on the environment.

Mag. Emil Ferjančič said of the meeting: “I am delighted that we were able to host a delegation from the Andes and that the Alpine Convention is an inspiration for other organisations of mountain ranges around the world to connect. We also had very productive discussions with the panel from the Andes on the importance of acting together at the international level; we identified a number of common points and I look forward to our continued work together – not only at the level of the ministry, but also at the level of experts in the field, parks, and other stakeholders who are active in mountain regions, both here and in their own countries.”

The delegation then visited the Alpine Convention Info Point at the Slovenian Alpine Museum in Mojstrana and took part in an expert panel discussion at the Triglav National Park Center. Both climate change and biodiversity, and how they are managed in individual countries and areas, were discussed. The delegation from the Andes will also be guests at the first meeting of the Permanent Committee of the Alpine Conference under the Slovenian presidency, which will take place in Radovljica on 21 and 22 June 2023.