Andorra Hosts Successful Congresses on Mountain Sustainability and Tourism, Adopts Key Declarations

Andorra has hosted two major international congresses on mountain sustainability and tourism, both concluding with significant commitments and positive assessments from organizers and participants.

The seventh global meeting of the Mountain Partnership wrapped up Saturday in Andorra la Vella with the adoption of the Andorra Declaration, drawing around 150-200 delegates from 45 countries, including regions like the Himalayas, Alps, Caucasus, Pyrenees, Nepal, Bhutan, Germany, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Ecuador, Italy, Mongolia, Montenegro and Kyrgyzstan. Foreign Affairs Minister Imma Tor, who opened and closed the event, described it as a landmark that elevates the Pyrenees within the global mountain agenda and marks a turning point for visibility in international forums. She emphasized mountains' role as planetary water reserves, home to 1.2 billion people and 25 of the world's 36 biodiversity hotspots, yet highly vulnerable to climate change.

The declaration calls for accelerating Agenda 2030 in mountain areas, strengthening their presence in frameworks such as the Paris Agreement and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, promoting resilient sustainable tourism, increasing funding for vulnerable communities, enhancing research and data sharing, empowering local groups including women, youth and indigenous peoples, and developing economies based on agroecology and circular bioeconomy. A Thursday ministerial statement urged integrated environmental security policies. Tor highlighted its potential influence in UN conventions on climate, biodiversity and desertification, ahead of a 2027 UN mountain conference in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan—the first in 25 years—and 2026 as the International Year of Resilient and Sustainable Tourism. The event was largely paperless, though Tor acknowledged travel emissions while stressing the value of in-person exchanges for launching projects.

State Secretary for Energy Transition David Forné noted Andorra's advocacy for mountains at COPs, protection of 30% of its land through a new national park in Canillo and Ordino, a 2050 carbon neutrality goal, emission cuts since 2005 via the Renova programme, and shifts to renewables amid energy price hikes. FAO's Zhimin Wu called it a "total success" and historic inflection point. Ambassador Noëlia Souque pointed to Andorra's full Paris Agreement compliance and new sustainable tourism law. Head of Government Xavier Espot missed the opening due to an overnight fire at Arinsal's old water factory, with no injuries.

The 13th World Congress on Snow, Mountain and Wellness Tourism ended Thursday after two days with over 250 attendees, including UN Tourism's Shaikha Nasser Al Nuwais. Sessions addressed AI, data and governance to manage overtourism, seasonality and climate impacts, prioritizing human-centered experiences amid digital shifts. Tourism and Trade Minister Jordi Torres advocated blending nature, wellness and AI for personalized offers and de-seasonalization, while insisting human connection remains central against challenges like Middle East tensions. He stressed balancing local residents and 9.2 million annual visitors, potentially through dynamic taxes.

Spain's Industry and Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu called for joint Pyrenees promotion beyond snow, emphasizing landscape, culture, gastronomy and wellness, plus digital pre-trip engagement and resident harmony as economic foundations: "Social and environmental sustainability ensures economic sustainability." A panel with UN Tourism's Sandra Carvao featured Torres on AI for resource relief, Montenegro's Simonida Kordić on authentic digital tools for small businesses, and Portugal's Pedro Machado on nationwide flow redistribution.

MotoGP's Aleix Espargaró, an Andorra resident, promoted year-round sports like cycling to grow summer tourism, warning against massification eroding natural appeal. Ordino's Jordi Serracanta passed hosting duties for the 2028 edition to La Massana's Mònica Solé.