The IFMGA is an international umbrella federation for mountain guide associations.
The IFMGA governs for its members the profession of mountain guiding internationally by:
- developing and maintaining standards of practice that drive consistency in the mountain guiding profession for its members
- developing and maintaining a model code of professional ethics for mountain guides for its members
- facilitating information exchange and fellowship among its member associations and their members
- holding member associations accountable to its mandatory training standards
- promoting reciprocity of access among member associations
- supporting the development of each national mountain guide association, who is member of the IFMGA
- actively representing the interests of the mountain guides to national and international authorities and media
Responsibilities to Stakeholders
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
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 asociation already represents the nation within the IFMGA
- Determining for member associations mandatory international training standards
- Facilitating and promoting cooperation and synergies among member associations
Mountain guides
- Setting the standards for the professional practice and behaviour of mountain guides
- Providing services and assistance
- Promoting cooperation and collegiality
Authorities
- Advocating for the mountain guiding profession with government agencies
- Providing mountaineering safety and technique consultation
Media
- Providing information on mountaineering and safety as requested
Competitors
- Protecting the IFMGA brand
- Providing clarity on the training and capability of IFMGA mountain guides
- Cooperating for the benefit of the public
Principles of conduct
- The IFMGA understands and aligns itself with mountain guides and their interests
- The IFMGA maintains the traditional values of the profession
- The IFMGA keeps the profession growing and relevant in a changing world
- The IFMGA represents itself and its profession to all stakeholders with honour and integrity
- The FMGA aims at the unity of the respective mountain guide associations within the respective countries
The IFMGA places strong emphasis on adherence to its Code of Professional Practice