German and Austrian Alpine clubs to rejoin the UIAA

UIAA president Frits Vrijlandt said the decisions by the two clubs, which together have a combined membership of 1.6 million members, was a vote of confidence in the path the UIAA has chosen through the development of its strategic plan for 2012 - 2016.

"We are thrilled to have our German and Austrian fellow mountaineers rejoin the UIAA climbing family," said Vrijlandt. "We have many things in common including our passion for the mountains and our desire to protect mountains for future generations."

In a statement, DAV and VAVÖ thanked the membership for today's vote. Both clubs said they would actively share their knowledge and experience to support UIAA goals. They said their decision to rejoin the UIAA was based on the potential they saw in strategic plan which focuses on mountaineering, safety, access, nature conservation and improved internal communication among members. "We appreciate the decision taken by the General Assembly and we feel honored to be part of the UIAA family again," said DAV president Josef Klenner.

The General Assembly also voted today to welcome the membership the newly formed Bangladesh Mountaineering Club, welcome the Russian Mountaineering Federation as a full member and awarded the Jordan Tourism Board observer status.

About the German Alpine Club (DAV)

The German Alpine Club (DAV) was founded in 1869 and has become the world's largest alpine sports organization with more than one million members. Its members come from 355 independent sections across Germany. Members can take advantage of special accommodation rates offered in its more than 300 alpine cabins and chalets and are offered alpine tours and activities, alpine safety and orientation training and have access to maps, guides and books from the DAV libraries at a reduced fee or free of charge.

About the Der Verband alpiner Vereine Österreichs (VAVÖ)

VAVÖ was founded in 1949 and has over 600,000 members across Austria which represent 12 clubs. The association operates 475 huts and manages over 50,000 km of trails. Services offered to its members include mountaineering training courses.

About the UIAA - International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation

The UIAA was founded in 1932 and has a global presence on five continents with 80 member associations in 50 countries representing about 2.9 million people. The organization's mission is to promote the growth and protection of mountaineering and climbing worldwide, advance safe and ethical mountain practices and promote responsible access, culture and environmental protection. The organization operates through the work of its commissions which make recommendations, set policy and advocate on behalf of the mountaineering community. The UIAA is recognized by the International Olympic Committee for mountaineering and climbing.