The IFMGA is the international umbrella federation for mountain guide associations. 

The IFMGA governs the profession of mountain guiding internationally for our member associations by: 

• developing and maintaining standards of practice that drive consistency in the mountain guiding profession for our members 
• developing and maintaining a model code of professional conduct and ethics for mountain guides for ourmembers 
• facilitating information exchange and fellowship among our member associations and their members 
• holding member associations accountable to our mandatory training standards 
• promoting reciprocity of access among member associations 
• supporting the development of each national mountain guide association, that is member of the IFMGA 
• actively representing the interests of the mountain guides to national and international authorities and media

Responsibilities to IFMGA Stakeholders

The Public

• Setting the standards for training of mountain guides who manage risk for their clients
• Providing a visible and transparent process by which mountain guides are certified
• Providing information on the mountain guiding profession as requested

Our Member Associations

• Coordinating the formation of new national associations, provided that there is currently no national association representing the IFMGA
• Facilitating entry of national associations into the IFMGA, provided no other association already represents the nation within the IFMGA
• Determining forour member associations mandatory international training standards
• Facilitating and promoting cooperation and synergies among our member associations

The Mountain Guides

• Setting the standards for the professional practice and behavior of mountain guides
• Providing services and assistance
• Promoting cooperation and collegiality

The Authorities

• Advocating for the mountain guiding profession with government agencies
• Providing mountaineering safety and technical consultation

The Media

• Providing information on the standards and practice of mountain guiding, mountaineering and safety as requested

Our Competitors

• Protecting the IFMGA brand and recognition
• Providing clarity on the training and capability of IFMGA mountain guides
• Cooperation for the benefit of the public

Principles of Conduct

• The IFMGA understands and aligns itselfwith mountain guides and their professional interests
• The IFMGA maintains the traditional values of the profession
• The IFMGA strengthens our traditional values with strategies to help our profession adapt and maintain relevance in a changing world
• The IFMGA represents itselfand our profession to all stakeholders with honor and integrity
• The IFMGA strives to support unity of our respective mountain guide associations within their respective countries
• The IFMGA requires our member associations to adhere to our IFMGA Code of Professional Practice