In 1991, the environment ministers for France, Italy and Switzerland came together to agree the formation of Espace Mont Blanc - a partnership of national authorities and local communities to plan for the future development and protection of the Mont Blanc region. In 1998, the group was charged with creating a sustainable development scheme for the region (finally launched in 2005), whilst in 2003 it adopted a plan for safeguarding sensitive environments and landscapes. In 2007, it produced its position statement regarding the classification of Mont Blanc as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in 2009 a Transboundary Integrated Plan (PIT) was announced, with the implementation of six regional projects running until 2013. In 2014, the group launched Strategy for the Future, which is intended to be a strategic tool for ensuring that public policies are consistent across the different territories around the Mont Blanc massif.