During the three-day conference in the Northern Alps, the experts took the opportunity to exchange thoughts with the world’s most prominent experts with the aim of enhancing its bid.

The Annecy 2018 bid, along with the alpine region’s authorities, is especially committed to the issue of mountain water management, they claim.

"Annecy 2018 closely follows the work of international researchers on the issue of mountain water," said Jean-Pierre Vidal, the 2002 Olympic slalom champion who is now Annecy's ambassador for environmental and sustainable development.

"It is a challenge the French city wants to meet, with the support of the region’s inhabitants and local environment stakeholders, in order to offer a sustainable model of mountain development."

The World Mountain Water Summit was a unique source of inspiration for Annecy 2018, said VIdal. 

Annecy's environmental experts are working to come up with a project that addresses all mountain environment issues, paving the way to the mountain of the 21st century.

"Water conservation is decisive for the future of mountainous regions," said Vidal.

"It is central to our concerns about the development of massifs, when you consider what is at stake.

"It requires integrated management in order to reconcile the many uses it undergoes: a source of human food, economic and tourist development, the environment, and energy.

"In addition to the world summit, a sustainable development seminar was held on Wednesday in Annecy, bringing together the environmental experts from the host bid as well as experts from the French Ministries of Health and Sport, and the Ecology.

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