Ninety-five delegates from 65 nations were welcomed to the Green Bay Beach Hotel in Larnaca, Cyprus for the first day of the XXII IFSC General Assembly to discuss the future of the sport.

The attendees were welcomed by the Deputy Mayor of Larnaca Iasonas Iasonides, Treasurer of the Cyprus Olympic Committee Giannos Photiou and Representative of the Ministry of Education Angelos Angelides before video addresses from the IOC President Thomas Bach and IPC President Andrew Parsons.

IFSC President Marco Scolaris made his address to the assembly commenting on the growth, governance, and the Olympic and now Paralympic participation of the IFSC before an evolution of the IFSC and Climbing was presented by Secretary General Debbie Gawrych and General Director Piero Rebaudengo as well as highlights of the activities of the federation in 2024.

STATUTES

The IFSC Statutes have been updated with two changes related to eSports and Para Climbing gaining the required majority for inclusion.

The Para Climbing change was intended to meet IPC membership requirements with the following amendments introduced: 

• Explicit recognition of the IPC as the governing body for Paralympic sports.
• A formal undertaking of the IPC Constitution by committing IFSC to its principles and regulations.
• Adopting these changes will facilitate the recognition process and the status of IPC Member.

With the increase in the eSports landscape, the change was to reflect this with the following amendments introduced: 

• Formal inclusion of eClimbing and ePara Climbing within IFSC governance. 
• Recognition of eClimbing and ePara Climbing as official IFSC disciplines.
• Potential integration of eClimbing and ePara Climbing competitions within existing IFSC event structures. 

These amendments address two independent yet significant developments: IFSC full integration into the IPC framework and the recognition of eClimbing and ePara Climbing as part of IFSC future strategy. Both initiatives reinforce IFSC global standing, expand competitive opportunities, and align the organisation with evolving international sports trends.

The amendments were passed by unanimous vote for inclusion in the IFSC Statutes.

MEMBER FEDERATIONS 
 
The IFSC welcomed two new federations taking the total number to 101 members as both the Congolese and Iraqi federations were ratified in a vote by the General Assembly. The Congolese Federation of Sport Climbing (FCES) and Iraq Climbing Federation had initially been approved by the IFSC Executive Board with their inclusion as full members now fully confirmed.

Delegates were also informed of three name changes for the Cambodian, Brazilian and Kyrgyzstani federations.

TEAM AWARDS

During the assembly recognition of the Team Awards from the 2024 season took place with representatives from the winning countries presented with trophies.

The winners were:

Boulder

1. Japan
2. France
3. USA

Lead

1. Japan
2. France
3. Austria

Speed

1. China
2. USA
3. Italy

Para Climbing

1. USA
2. France
3. Japan

During the awarding, the IFSC recognised its sponsors with a trophy of their own to thank them for their support both in the past and for the 2025 season. EP Climbing and Trango were in attendance to receive their trophy with EuroHolds and Kailas acknowledged during the presentations.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

The host of the 2027 IFSC Climbing and Para Climbing World Championships was confirmed as Brno, Czechia taking 53.25% of the votes.

Brno beat Beijing, China to the hosting rights after presentations from both parties to the assembly ahead of the vote.

For more about the 2027 IFSC Climbing and Para Climbing World Championships news click here

REPORTS

Throughout the day there were reports covering all aspects of the IFSC work.

Financial Statements and 2025 budgets were approved through a vote after IFSC Treasurer Pierre You presented his report. IFSC Oceania representative Naomi Cleary also presented her report from the Risk and Finance Commission.

There was a vote for the approval of the revised Disciplinary Rules ahead of reports from the Disciplinary Commission and Ethics Commission as well as reports from each Continental Council through its representatives.

A review of Paris 2024 was presented through the eyes of Media and Communications with data from the sports second Olympic appearance. The Sport department provided a report of the previous year and also looked to the future with the 2025 season and further ahead with updates of the 2025-2029 cycle.

IFSC Vice-President Wolfgang Wabel gave a report from the newly formed Sustainability Working Group and Pierre You returned to report on the Para Climbing Commission with Chair Sebastian Depke also providing a report of the activities from the commission.

Athletes’ Commission President Shauna Coxsey reported on activities from and on behalf of the Athletes with additional reports coming from the Medical and Anti-doping Commission and the Research & Development department.

The XXII IFSC General Assembly continues tomorrow (12 April) with voting on the make-up of the Executive Board including the President who will represent the federation for the next four years.