The entire area of Liechtenstein lies in the Alpine region. The Alps are of existential and formative importance for Liechtenstein and in the identity of its population. The area is a living, economic, and cultural area. The ecologically sensitive Alpine area is, however, increasingly threatened by the growing demands of humans.

A balance between protection and use as well as cross-border cooperation in the Alpine region, with the participation and inclusion of the local population, are of central importance for the future sustainable development of the Alpine countries. Taking these principles into account, Liechtenstein has from the very beginning participated in the process of cooperation within the Alpine region and in the elaboration of the Convention an the Protection of the Alps (Alpine Convention) and its protocols.

Liechtenstein has been a State Party to the Alpine Convention since 1994 and a State Party to its protocols an land-use planning and sustainable development, mountain farming, conservation of nature and countryside, mountain forests, tourism, soil conservation, energy, transport, and the protocol an dispute settlement. The cooperation between the states of the Alpine region was decisively driven by the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps, CIPRA, an international non-governmental organization (NGO) headquartered in Liechtenstein. It plays an important role in the further development and implementation of the Alpine Convention and its protocols. The Liechtenstein Government makes substantial annual contributions to CIPRA.

Liechtenstein shares its experiences as an Alpine State by engaging within the framework of the international partnerships on the sustainable development of the mountain regions and the regional mountain partnerships. In the last years Liechtenstein has been actively engaged in promoting sustainable development of mountain regions in the Carpathians, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, both financially and by making experts available (International Humanitarian Cooperation and Development ).

Further information and links:

• Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention (www.alpenkonvention.org)
• International Commission for the Protection of the Alps CIPRA (www.cipra.org)
• Municipality network "Alliance in the Alps" (www.alpenallianz.org)