Austria recently hosted a significant gathering as German-speaking leaders from six nations convened for their 22nd informal summit in picturesque Tyrol. Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, alongside his wife Doris Schmidauer, welcomed his counterparts to Innsbruck. The unifying theme for this two-day event was “Cohesion in Europe,” reflecting a commitment to continental unity.
The summit began under brilliant late-summer skies at Innsbruck’s historic Bergisel. Delegations posed for a group photo before heading to Restaurant 1809 for a working lunch. Here, participants discussed pressing domestic and foreign policy developments, setting a collaborative tone for the discussions.
High-profile attendees included King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, along with Germany’s Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender. Hereditary Prince Alois von und zu Liechtenstein and Hereditary Princess Sophie were present, as were Grand Duke Guillaume V and Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Luxembourg. Switzerland was represented by Federal President Guy Parmelin and Caroline Parmelin.
In the afternoon, the focus shifted to the critical environmental challenges facing the Alpine region. The delegation traveled to the Stubai Glacier. During a scenic ride on the 3S Eisgratbahn, state guests received vital information from leading glaciologists. Experts, including Prof. Dr. Andrea Fischer, detailed the stark consequences of global warming and proposed effective climate protection measures.
The first day concluded with a traditional state reception in front of Innsbruck’s Imperial Hofburg, featuring honor guards. Tyrol’s Governor Anton Mattle and Innsbruck’s Mayor Johannes Anzengruber later hosted a gala dinner at the elegant Haus der Musik.
The following day, the meeting moved to the renowned European Forum Alpbach (EFA). At the Congress Centrum, the German-speaking leaders participated in a high-level working session. They explored the annual theme, “How Europe Wins,” delving into complex issues.
Top politicians discussed key challenges facing the continent’s future. Topics ranged from protecting democratic values and the rule of law to geopolitical security, economic prosperity, migration, and digital transformation. The program concluded with a direct exchange between the heads of state and the Forum’s scholarship recipients, fostering intergenerational dialogue.
This informal consultation format, an established diplomatic tradition, commenced in 2004. Initially, it brought together leaders from Germany, Liechtenstein, Austria, and Switzerland. However, since 2014, representatives from Belgium and Luxembourg have also regularly participated, broadening the discussions. The meeting rotates annually among partner countries; Austria served as this year’s host, following an upcoming 2025 summit in Switzerland.
