UIS

Speleology in Authoritarian Regimes
2025-03-15 | Online Symposium
The UIS History of Speleology Commission, in collaboration with the German Speleological Federation (VdHK), is organizing an online symposium titled “Speleology in Authoritarian Regimes”. This event will explore the intersection of speleology (the study of caves and karst) and repressive government regimes, examining how authoritarian states have influenced and, in many cases, oppressed speleological activities and researchers.
This symposium is inspired by the legacy of Dr. Benno Wolf (1871-1943), a pioneering German speleologist whose life tragically ended due to the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime. Dr. Wolf’s extensive work on a world cave catalogue and his significant private speleological library made him a prominent figure in the field. However, his achievements also made him a target for Nazi persecution. Arrested by the Gestapo in 1942, Wolf was deported to the Theresienstadt concentration camp, where he died in January 1943 due to the brutal conditions. To honour Dr. Wolf’s contributions and to promote the values of scientific freedom and tolerance, the VdHK established the Dr. Benno Wolf Prize 30 years ago. This prize recognizes outstanding achievements in cave protection and research while also standing as a symbol against the suppression of scientific inquiry.
The upcoming symposium will delve into the various forms of repression that speleologists have faced under authoritarian regimes, including imprisonment, surveillance, and theft of valuable research. By examining these historical contexts, the event aims to shed light on the broader implications of state interference in scientific research and offer insights into the resilience of scientific communities under
duress. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss how speleology has been targeted by authoritarian regimes in different countries and time periods, and to reflect on the the lessons that can be drawn for the future of scientific research in politically challenging environments.

Characterization and Engineering of Karst Aquifers (CEKA)
2025-05-19 - 2025-05-24 | Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina
This international course includes theoretical lectures on the basic concepts of karsthydrogeology and a few practical demonstrations and field trips within theterritories of Dinaric karst. The course willbe organized by The Centre for Karst Hydrogeology of the University of Belgradeand Geological Survey of the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, supportedby UNESCO-IHP and several other institutions. The course is open to all, but isespecially devoted to younger and talented karst researchers. Number ofparticipants is limited to 20.

32nd International Karstological School
2025-06-16 - 2025-06-20 | Postojna, Slovenia
Climate changes and the unrestricted growth of population result in increasing frequency and intensity of extreme hydrological and climatic events in karst regions, posing significant threats to both people and the environment. The 32nd International Karstological School will focus on monitoring these extreme events and understanding their underlying mechanisms, while exploring strategies for early warning, prevention, and mitigation of their impacts. The program will examine how surface changes influence the karst subsurface and provide a platform to share experiences, challenges, and solutions in monitoring such events. Additionally, attention will be given to extreme events in geological past, with insights drawn from cave sediments and other cave or surface formations. Finally, discussions will address policies and measures aimed at reducing the impact of extreme events on karst environments and the communities that depend on them. Participants are encouraged to contribute by sharing their experiences, the challenges they have faced and the insights they have gained.
This year, the International Karstological School will host the yearly meeting of the Commission on Karst Hydrogeology of the International Association of Hydrogeologists. In addition, the traditional Young Karst Researcher Prize of the Karst Commission will be delivered at the conference closing ceremony Thursday 19.6. evening. This prize is intended to recognize the outstanding achievements of three young researchers in the field of karst hydrogeology.

19th International Congress of Speleology
2025-07-20 - 2025-07-27 | Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
The UIS hosts an International Congress of Speleology every four years, which is the world’s most significant gathering of cave and karst scientists, managers, educators, and explorers.
For preliminary information see volume 63-1 of the UIS Bulletin at http://uis-speleo.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/uisb631.pdf

International Day of Caves and Karst
2025-09-13
Join us and celebrate the International Day of Caves and Karst – IDCK!

This September 13th, we are thrilled to announce that the speleological community will celebrate the International Day of Caves and Karst for the first time. This unique event, approved by the UIS General Assembly during the 19th International Congress of Speleology in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, is a momentous occasion for all of us.
The International Day of Caves and Karst (IDCK) is a proposed UNESCO-recognised annual observance on September 13th, dedicated to raising global awareness of caves and karst landscapes. These environments, which provide vital resources and preserve unique biodiversity, have a profound impact on a global scale, including supplying drinking water for over a billion people. They also hold invaluable geological and cultural records, making them a treasure for humanity.
So, we invite you to join us and celebrate the wonderful world of caves and karst. Your participation, along with that of your organizations and countries, is crucial in making this event a success and in raising awareness about these unique environments.

18th European Cave Rescue Meeting
2025-09-25 - 2025-09-28 | Wojcieszów, Poland
The 18th European Cave Rescue Meeting is going to take place in Wojcieszow (Voy-che-shoov), Poland, September 25-28th 2025.
Pre ECRA Meeting: 24-25 September 2025.
This meeting is organized by the GOPR and GRJ on behalf of the European Cave Rescue Association (ECRA).
During the Pre-Meeting you can enjoy caving, cave diving and visits to tourist destinations. We are preparing several interesting locations.
More information will be available soon. Please also visit website www.caverescue.eu for last minute changes or send an email on
info@caverescue.eu in case of any question.

National Cave & Karst Management Symposium
2025-10-06 - 2025-10-10 | Bristlecone Convention Center, 150 6th St, Ely, NV, United States
Cave and karst resource management spans a wide array of scientific and recreational disciplines. Across North America, responsible stewardship of these fragile ecosystems necessitates a broad-spectrum approach to both problems and solutions.
Since 1975, the National Cave & Karst Management Symposium has been the preeminent forum for promoting, advancing and sharing concepts in the effective management of cave and karst resources. Our conference is a gathering of inquisitive minds and passionate experts who share a common ethic for the responsible management of these rare environments.
Held every 2 years, our next symposium is set for October 6-10, 2025 in Ely, Nevada – the heart of the Great Basin. We hope you can join us!

IXth International Workshop on Ice Caves
2026-02-08 - 2026-02-14 | Scarisoara, Romania
Abstracts and registration
Participants wishing to present (oral or poster) are asked to submit a one page abstract by November 20, 2025. The abstract (free format) should include the usual suspects: title, authors, affiliations, and main text. Participation without presentation is possible, but registration is required.
Information required for registration:
1. Name, surname, affiliation
2. Title of presentation (if any)
3. Presentation preference (oral, poster, oral in cave)
4. Travel – means (car, plane, bus, train, submarine etc), arrival and departure dates
5. Accommodation type – single, double, triple
6. Dietary requirements
7. Other info one might find relevant
The steps for registering are as follows:
1. Submit the registration form and the abstract by email to Aurel Persoiu (aurel.persoiu@gmail.com)
2. Pay the registration fee
3. Buy garlic, silver and crosses – this is Transylvania.

Speleomíting 2026
2026-03-21 | Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia
We are pleased to announce and invite you to the annual caving conference, Speleomíting 2026, which will be held on March 21. 2026 in the Slovak Museum of Nature Protection and Speleology, (https://www.smopaj.sk/en) Školská 121/4, Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia.

Speleomíting is a small-scale event where cavers meet and share recent advancements in cave exploration, documentation, cave protection, and research, in a cozy, informal atmosphere. The official presenting language is Slovak, but contributions in Czech, English, and Polish are very welcome.

The deadline for submission of a talk is March 7th.

For more information, please visit https://sss.sk/page/2/ or reach out to sss.speleomiting@gmail.com.

Middle-East Speleology Symposium (MESS) 5
2026-04-15 - 2026-04-17 | Notre Dame University-Louaize, Lebanon
This is the fifth international meeting discussing the speleology of the middle-east region and its surroundings.

Medical and technical cave rescue workshop
2026-05-05 - 2026-05-10 | Aggtelek, Hungary
Four-day immersive, peer-to-peer, scenario-driven program and Cave Rescue Medical Workshop for Caver healthcare professionals – 4 Days underground, discussing, testing and practicing Cave rescue medicine.
With questions contact us at workshop@caverescue.hu

33rd International Karstological School »Classical Karst«: Carbon Pathways in Karst
2026-06-15 - 2026-06-19 | Postojna, Slovenia
You are cordially invited to participate at 33rd International Karstological School »Classical Karst«: Carbon Pathways in Karst, which will take place from the 15th to 19st June 2026 in Postojna, Slovenia.
The 33rd IKS will cover a wide range of topics related to carbon transfer between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and lithosphere. Themes will explore the distribution and storage of carbon in karst systems, interactions between different carbon pools, and how they relate to speleogenesis and broader karst processes. We invite participants to share their research results and challenges in this field. However, all other contributions in the field of karst research are also welcome in the form of posters and Monday’s evening activity.
The registration and abstract submission, as well as more information, are available at https://iks.zrc-sazu.si/en/

Eurokarst 2026
2026-08-31 - 2026-09-04 | Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Eurokarst is the European bi-annual conference on The hydrogeology of Karst and Carbonate Reservoirs. It offers an international forum for professional exchanges and scientific debate between practitioners and academic researchers.
The conference also hosts the meeting of the Karst Commission of the International Association of Hydrogeology.

UNESCO International Day of Caves and Karst
2026-09-13 | Postojna, Slovenia
The First Celebration of the International Day of Caves and Karst (IDCK), proclaimed by UNESCO will be in Postojna, Slovenia: 10–13 September 2026
Following the proclamation of the International Day of Caves and Karst (IDCK) by UNESCO, the first official celebration is planned to take place in Postojna, Slovenia, in September 2026. The central date of the celebration will be 13 September 2026, with a series of scientific and outreach events planned in the days leading up to it.
Preliminary programme outline (subject to confirmation):
10 – 12 September 2026 – International conference in Postojna.
Theme: Sustainable management of caves and karst, with a focus on protection, education, and research as a foundation for sustainable development, and scientific excursion to selected karst and cave sites
12 September 2026 (Saturday evening) – Official IDCK celebration event in Postojna Cave (to be confirmed)
13 September 2026 – International Day of Caves and Karst.
Details regarding the conference programme, invited speakers, co-organisers, and registration will be announced in due course.
Organisers (preliminary): with the support of the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO, International Union of Speleology (UIS), Karst Research Institute ZRC SAZU, Slovenia …..
We warmly invite all supporters of the International Day of Caves and Karst initiative, as well as the wider scientific, educational and policy communities, to save the date. A formal announcement, registration form and detailed programme will follow.

Man and karst 2026
2026-09-13 - 2026-09-19 | Natural Reserve of Vendicari,, Siracusa, Italy
As part of the International Day of Caves and Karst proclaimed by UNESCO, CIRS ETS – Hyblean Center of Speleo-Hydrogeological Research, is organizing the fourth edition of Man and Karst in Sicily. The event will take place from September 13 to 19, 2026, in the magical natural setting of the Vendicari Special Fauna Oasis Nature Reserve, in the far southeastern corner of Sicily.
This magical natural location founded in March 1984 to allow birds to call in and nest and to permit conservation of the psammo-holophilous and Mediterranean vegetation, the reserve is the southeastern tip of Sicily in a vast area particularly characterized by a complex system of coastal marshes. It has a surface of 1235.7 hectares, 521.3 of which in Zone A and 714.4 in Zone B. It lies in the territory of the Commune of Noto, in Syrecuse province. The area has also been included among “Wetlands of international importance”, has been identified as Site of Community Interest (SCI) and Special Protection Area (SPA) and belongs to the important Bird Area (IBA) of the Vendicari Marshes and Capo Passero.
In this fascinating natural scenery, Man and Karst 2026 in Sicily, like previous editions, aims to contribute to the understanding, promotion, and protection of karst landscapes and caves, including their ecosystems and cultural heritage. This effort supports scientific research, not just as an end in itself, but for the benefit of the entire community.
The event represents a unique opportunity to share knowledge and experiences, promote the conservation and sustainable management of these unique environments, and raise public awareness about the importance of preserving our natural and cultural heritage.
Furthermore, Man and Karst 2026 provides an occasion to reflect on the challenges and opportunities related to the management of karst landscapes and caves, and to identify strategies and concrete actions to protect and enhance these natural and cultural treasures.

Espeleo Pirineos
2026-10-02 - 2026-10-04 | Huesca, Spain
An international meeting for cavers and researchers working in the Aragonese Pyrenees. It serves as a hub for sharing discoveries, technical progress, and conservation efforts in the region’s vast cave systems.
