Author: Jasmina

The UIS shares the world’s concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. We send our best hopes for your good health and that of your loved ones. Many caving and research trips and conferences are being cancelled and postponed. We urge you to be patient and supportive of those organizing expeditions, meetings, and other activities as they seek ways to advance speleology while protecting everyone’s health. Please follow carefully the rules your governments have created for your protection against the virus, which will help end this crisis sooner. On behalf of the UIS Bureau and its 54 member countries, we send you our best wishes, and thank you for supporting speleology and the protection of the world’s health. Dr. George Veni UIS President

Next deadline for submition of request for speleological events support is May 31, 2020. Grants can be given to international expeditions or other projects focused on exploration, study, or protection of caves and karst, with emphasis on educational, technical and/or scientific cooperation with the local speleological community. UIS Bureau decided, that for 2020 up to three grants will be granted with a combined total funding cap of 3000 Euros. All requests should show explicitly that the proposed expedition is in agreement with the Statutes, Internal Regulations, and Code of Ethics of the UIS. Requests must be sent to the UIS via Secretary General Fadi Nader at fadi.nader@orange.fr More details can be found in the Speleological Events Support Guidelines.

We are glad to share with you the Volume 61-2 of the UIS Bulletin. The PDF Interactive format can be downloaded here The 74 pages of this issue bring the following topics: Editorial: “Are you ready?” The President’s Column: “International Congress of Speleology; Announcements for Everyone - Even if You Dont Attend!” A Planning Guide for International Year of Caves and Karst Call for proposals: 2025 International Congress of Speleology Scientific Research: UIS Glacier, Firn, and Ice Caves Commission International Speleological Educational Expeditions on Cyprus Cave Rescue Trainning in Brazil: A decade of Partnership with France 14th National Mexican Congress of Speleology, CNME 2019 Man and Karst 2019 -International Scientific Conference Cleaning Nature - Trashbonding & Guardians of the Earth Australia - Cave Landscape Bushfire Rehabilitation Appeal Derek Ford, UIS Past…