Year: 2024

Dear speleologists, As we approach the end of the year, we should reflect on the incredible dedication and passion that unite us all in the world of speleology. From exploring the Earth's hidden treasures to advancing our understanding of caves and karst systems, we are a global community united by common goals and challenges. May the new year bring us further collaboration, awe-inspiring discoveries and increased efforts to protect the fragile cave and karst environment. Together we will illuminate the underground world and promote its recognition and preservation on a global scale. I hope to see many of you at the 19th International Congress of Speleology (19th ICS) in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, where we can celebrate our shared passion and achievements. Wishing you joyful holidays and a new year full…

If You are willing to participate in the next International Congress of Spelelology, You can find the rules, notices, and manuals for the 19th ICS available at https://www.speleo2025.org/downloads/rules On the web page, you can find: Photo salon regulations Cartographic salon regulation SpeleoMedia regulations Manual for sponsors and exhibitions Notice to pre and post-congress participants Scientific paper template

Are you passionate about protecting our natural underground wonders? We are thrilled to announce the theme for this first season’s UIS Cave Photo Contest: Responsible Caving This contest is all about highlighting practices that: Preserve cave ecosystems. Protect these hidden marvels for future generations. Calling all cave photographers and cavers! Share your best images that demonstrate responsible caving practices. We are looking for photos that show: Respect for the environment Sustainable exploration practices A commitment to preservation Whether it is minimizing light, leaving no trace, or being careful around fragile formations, your photo can inspire others to explore responsibly. Winning photos will be showcased on UIS social media platforms, promoting global awareness of sustainable caving. Each post will feature the photographer's name, a brief biography, and the compelling story behind…

If you have not yet submitted your scientific paper to the 19th International Congress of Speleology (ICS), you are giving the new deadline: JANUARY 20, 2025. Don’t miss this excellent opportunity to share your research and interact with leading experts in the field of caves and karst. Join this important event, which will bring together the 38th Brazilian Congress of Speleology and celebrate the 60th anniversary of the UIS! For more information, please visit the website: www.speleo2025.org

Dear Colleagues, Dear Friends, We are glad to inform you, that the second Call for speleological events support in 2024 is open! 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. UIS Bureau especially encourage young cavers and scientists to submit proposals for their projects, and the Bureau will take these submissions into prefer consideration. All requests should contain description of proposed event as detailed as you are thinking is important for understanding the aims of your project, the purpose for which the funds will be used and show explicitly, that the proposed event is in line with the Statutes, Internal Regulations and Code of Ethics of the UIS. Requests which do…

The 2024 Prize This year, although very different, the topics addressed by the candidates were treated by highlighting a wide range of options such as raising awareness of caving, the protection and conservation of caves and karst environments, the concomitance between exploration results and scientific research, education and tourism without forgetting to identify ways to perpetuate their objectives. The members of the 2024 France Habe Prize Jury rated each submission using an evaluation grid covering relevance, presentation, interdisciplinarity, photography, scientific content, readability and originality. They unanimously decided to award the 2024 France Habe Prize to the monograph project “La Magne souterraine – Le système Wuinant-Haminte et autres phenomena karstiques de la vallée de la Magne” (Belgium) represented by Paul De Bie. The winner will be rewarded with an amount of…

On September 13, 2021, we had the honor of presenting the fascinating world of caves and karst at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. This groundbreaking event, which took place as part of the International Year of Caves and Karst (IYCK), laid the foundation for the UIS initiative to proclaim September 13 as the International Day of Caves and Karst (IDCK). Let us continue to raise awareness and appreciation for these natural wonders that play such an important role in our world! Nadja Zupan Hajna UIS President

Dear speleologists, cavers, and cave lovers around the world, we are pleased to share with you the Second Circular of the 19th International Congress of Speleology (ICS), the world's premier speleological event. Please see the 19th ICS website www.speleo2025.org for complete details. There you will find a variety of useful resources for planning your participation in the congress, as well as regular updates to help you on the progress of your preparations. Take advantage of the 19th ICS not only to improve your technical and scientific knowledge, but also to make new connections and strengthen ties with colleagues from all over the world. The 19th ICS will be a unique opportunity to share common experiences, discoveries and passions in an atmosphere of friendship and collaboration.

The International Union of Speleology (UIS), in cooperation with the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO, is actively promoting the establishment of the International Day of Caves and Karst (IDCK – September 13). Why September 13th? Because there is no other international day on this date, because no nationality is favored and because on this day in 2021 caves and karst were presented to UNESCO for the first time (although the UIS was founded on September 16), and because UNESCO representatives like the idea. You can read more about the UIS proposal in a new UIS Bulletin 66-1. It does not matter if your country or region already celebrates a specific cave day other than the International Day of Caves and Karst proposed here, it's just important that the public learns…

We are glad to share with you Volume 66 of the UIS Bulletin. The PDF Interactive format can be downloaded by clicking on the link: http://uis-speleo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UIS-Bulletin-Volume-66-1-June-2024.pdf The 60 pages of this issue bring the following topics: TABLE OF CONTENTS • Editorial: “One year to the 19th ICS and the 60th Anniversary of the UIS” • President’s Column - by Nadja Zupan Hajna: “Charting New Horizons” • UIS Becomes a Full Member of the International Science Counci • The UIS Archive in Postojna: demands - repeated urgent call! • UIS Book “Sixty Years of the UIS - 1965-2025” - History update • International Journal of Speleology - Special issue on Cave Monitoring: call for papers • UIS Informatics Commission: A New Presidency • 9th International Congress of Speleology - Call for registration • Exploring Scotland’s Subterranean Wonders: The Grampian Speleological…