Author: Jasmina

As 2022 draws to a close, we’re looking back at this year’s notable events, publications, and new members. The presence of the UIS at the UNESCO Headquarters on three occasions in such a short period of 15 months deserves to be celebrated. The great success achieved has given the UIS unprecedented global recognition, which shows that we are heading in the right direction. At the same time, it shows also that there is still a lot of work to be done. MEMBERSHIP The big news for the UIS in 2022 is that we welcome 6 new member countries: Armenia, Cyprus, India, Libya, Malaysia and Morocco. EVENTS UIS International Year of Caves and Karst 2021/22: Due to the COVID pandemic, the IYCK 2021 was extended through 2022 for public outreach opportunities…

The Karst and Cave Protection Commission of the International Union of Speleology (UIS) is pleased to announce the opening of the PRIX France HABE 2023. The prize is named in memory and in honor of Dr. France HABE from Slovenia (Yugoslavia), Past President of the Protection Department of the UIS (1973 -1997). The purpose of this prize endowed with 300€ is to promote the protection of karst and caves. Their natural heritage is an increasingly rich source of proven information on the history of our planet and of humanity, allowing us to act in a more thoughtful, effective and sustainable way for the future of our environment. You will find the complete regulations in French, English and Spanish on the UIS website by following this link: http://uis-speleo.org/index.php/karst-and-cave-protection-commission/ Feel free to disseminate widely. Jean-Pierre Bartholeyns President

UIS is formally supporting Karst, Caves and People 2023. Karst, Caves and People 2023 will be organize on the occasion of 300th anniversary of the first descent to the Macocha Abyss in 1723, the deepest known Abyss in the world in that time and one of the most known karst phenomenas ever! Attached you can find the first circular. Second circular will be published in January 2023, but more info will be regularly announced step by step at https://www.speleo.cz/karst-caves-and-people-2023.      

Dear colleagues, Dear Friends The next deadline for submition of requests for speleological events support is November 30, 2022. Granted can be the international expeditions or other events, focused on exploration, study, or protection of caves and karst, with emphasis on educational, technical and/or scientific cooperation. All requests should show explicitly, that the proposed event is in agreement with the Statutes, Internal Regulations and Code of Ethics of the UIS. More details can be found on the Speleological Events Support Guidelines, or do not hesitate to ask UIS Vice President of Administration Zdenek Motycka at z.motycka@mediform.cz All request shoud be sent before deadline to the UIS via Secretary General Johannes Mattes at secretary@uis-speleo.org Zdenek Motycka UIS Vice President of Administration

At the International Congress of Speleology last month the UIS General Assembly elected a new Bureau to conduct the daily business of the UIS: Officers: President: Dr. Nadja Zupan Hajna (Slovenia) Secretary General: Dr. Johannes Mattes (Austria) Vice President of Administration: Zdenek Motyčka (Czech Republic) Vice President of Operations: Nivaldo Colzato (Brazil) Treasurer: Dr. Mladen Garašić (Croatia) Adjunct Secretaries: Prof. Jose Calaforra (Spain) Ged Campion (United Kingdom) Marc Mentens (Philippines) Dr. Mario Parise (Italy) Dr. Patricia Seiser (USA) Nathalia Uasapud (Colombia) Bärbel Vogel (Germany) The General Assembly also welcomed five new countries to the Union: Amenia, Cyprus, India, Libya, Malaysia, and Morocco. Congratulations to the new Bureau and many thanks to the previous Bureau for their five years of service.

The deadline for submitting candidature for the Bureau was extended to Friday 29th of July. To submit your form go to https://form.jotform.com/71934426165156

We are glad to share with you Volume 64-1 of the UIS Bulletin. The PDF Interactive format can be downloaded by clicking on the link: http://uis-speleo.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/uisb641.pdf The 50 pages of this issue bring the following topics: • Editorial: UIS Bulletin: The Last Five Years and Plans for the Years Ahead • The President’s Column: An Ending and a Beginning • Welcome message of the 18th International Congress of Speleology • The Cave Time Capsule 2091 Project: Call to all countries • The Closing Months of the UIS International Year of Caves and Karst • 36th Brazilian Congress of Speleology dedicated to the IYCK • Country Delegations at the UIS Congresses: A Brief Retrospective • Cave Data Sharing Guidelines - A new UIS Project • Report of Activities 2018-2022 - Materials…

Dear Delegates of the UIS, At the end of July we will meet in France at the UIS General Assembly at the International Congress of Speleology. One of our duties will be to elect people to the UIS Bureau. The UIS needs good people who are willing to work for the UIS to improve speleology internationally. A good candidate should: Be active and knowledge about caves, their needs, and the caving organizations in your region. Be able to travel internationally at least once each year to the UIS Bureau meetings. Have a good working knowledge of written and spoken English, the language in which UIS business is conducted. Have time and enthusiasm to dedicate to UIS goals and activities. Understand that UIS Bureau members do not represent their countries or…

The France HABE Prize is open to all project leaders concerning the protection of karst and caves.  It is awarded by the Karst and Cave Protection Commission of the International Union of Speleology (UIS). Exceptionally, the deadline for submitting projects is postponed to June 10, 2022. This should therefore allow more of you to participate. The prize will be awarded this year at the 18th International Congress of Speleology in Chambéry next July. All information about this award is here: http://uis-speleo.org/index.php/karst-and-cave-protection-commission/ Jean-Pierre Bartholeyns UIS Karst and Cave Protection Commission - President

Thank you already for reading this message about a new project: We hope that many of you will respond to our request for information as soon as possible. Thanks for your help. "Cave and Karst legal status worldwide assessment: an initiative of the  UIS KARST AND CAVE PROTECTION  COMMISSION : In this International Year of Caves and Karst 2021 and 2022, we launch a worldwide census of the legal status of caves and karst, especially in your country. This is a basic assessment of national, regional, and local regulation on caves, karst, and caving worldwide;  Thanks for your help." For any questions or suggestions please write us here  If you cannot open the file, try with this link: https://forms.gle/cgvCb2kNKejpFF2x7 For the project team.   Jean-Pierre Bartholeyns UIS Karts and Cave Protection Commission President