Speaking at the UIAA General Assembly in Banff, Canada, Scolaris - whose sport made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games - called the IFSC, UIAA, and the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF) to work together on key issues.

"I look forward to finding a common ground for initiatives on the big themes that affect our world today, and pose a threat to the values that we - as climbers - share," he told more than 100 delegates.

"To mention one: climate change.

"Both IFSC and UIAA are signatories of the United Nations Sport for Climate Action Framework, a project that also includes the ISMF and its President Regula Meier and was recently included in the Winter Olympic Games Milano-Cortina 2026. 

"The intention is to work together on a roadmap leading to concrete actions, so I invite the Presidents of our families to exchange on how climbers can speak to the turbulent world."

Scolaris thanked the UIAA President, Peter Muir, for the opportunity to address the Assembly.

"Some of you may remember it was precisely here in Banff that, in 2006, we were faced with some difficult decisions about the road ahead of us. 

"It was here that Silvio Calvi, in the middle of the General Assembly, asked me whether we were ready to create our own organisation.

"The last 16 years have been intense, and they have proven that the decision taken to create the IFSC was conceptually mature, driven by a concrete, tangible goal: the Olympic dream.

"Thanks to great determination and a lot of work, the Olympic Dream came true, to the benefit of climbers worldwide."

Scolaris concluded with an appeal for unity among worldwide climbing and mountaineering organisations, saying: "I have participated in 14 UIAA General Assemblies, and I conclude with the hope that our communities, our people can stand united in our diversity and be role models in the sport world and in the society of today and of tomorrow. 

"For a better world through sport, for a better world through climbing."