Union of International Mountain Leader Associations is, together with the IFMGA (UIAGM), one of the two internationally recognized and accepted professional federations for the regulation and standardization of the mountain guiding profession.
UIMLA is headquartered in Switzerland. It manages and regulates the profession of International Mountain Leader (IML) at a global level. Lider Montan Internațional (International Mountain Leader – IML, ghid internațional de drumeție montană).
A Brief History
1989: Representatives of national professional organizations from Austria, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Ireland, and Italy met to harmonize the content and standards of professional training for Mountain Leaders. This marked the creation of the "European Mountain Leader Commission (EMLC).
1992: Representatives from Belgium, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, and Spain met to ratify the common standard and the conditions for practicing the profession of European Mountain Leader.
It became clear that the title of "European Mountain Leader" was no longer adequate for a profession that had become inherently international.
2004: Representatives from Andorra, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland met at Plas y Brenin (Wales) to establish the "Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA)." This union replaced the EMLC and opened the possibility of membership to all national professional associations interested in the Mountain Leader profession.
Official Founding: UIMLA was officially established on November 27 in Chambéry, France.
2017: Romania became the 17th full member country of UIMLA, represented by the Society of Mountain Guides and Leaders (SGLM).
2021: The official headquarters moved to Switzerland, in Villars-sur-Ollon.
