Since 2015, the UIS President has awarded Certificates of Appreciation and Recognition to recognize outstanding service and dedication to the organization. These certificates honor individuals who have contributed significantly as UIS Bureau members, ICS organizers, commission leaders, editors, or volunteers, supporting the development and promotion of speleology worldwide. Additionally, UIS Past Presidents also present certificates to recognize exceptional service.
2025
Certificates of Recognition:
José-Maria Calaforra (Spain), Gerard Campion (UK), Marc Mentens (Philippines), Mario Parise (Italy), Nathalia Vanessa Uasapud Enríquez (Colombia) – for their work as UIS Adjunct Secretaries (2022–2025)
Certificates of Appreciation:
Nadja Zupan Hajna (Slovenia) – for serving as UIS President, awarded by UIS Past Presidents
Sociedade Brasileira de Espeleologia (SBE)
Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Cavernas (CECAV)
J.A. Labegalini (Brazil) – for long-standing commitment to international speleology and for leadership in organizing the 19th ICS and the UIS 60th anniversary celebration
Allan Calux (Brazil) – for excellent organizational and communication efforts ensuring the successful preparation and wide promotion of the event
Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira (Brazil) – for outstanding efforts in organizing and communicating the scientific program of the 19th ICS
Amanda Jevaux (Brazil), Secretary, and Paulo Arenas (Brazil), Treasurer of the ICS – for their dedication and for helping participants overcome difficulties
Nivaldo Colzato (Brazil) – for dedicated work as UIS Vice President, his important role in the organization of this Congress, and his passionate service as editor of the UIS Bulletin
Zdeněk Motyčka (Czech Republic) – for his service as UIS Vice President and his excellent coordination with UIS Commissions
Johannes Mattes (Austria) – for committed service as UIS General Secretary and his coordination with member countries and the International Science Council (ISC)
Mladen Garašić (Croatia) – for responsible and transparent financial management as UIS Treasurer
Bärbel Vogel (Germany) – for her active contributions as UIS Adjunct Secretary and her efforts in cave protection
2022
George Veni (USA) – for serving as UIS President, awarded by UIS Past Presidents
Zdeněk Motyčka (Czech Republic), Efraín Mercado (Puerto Rico), Fadi Nader (Lebanon), Nadja Zupan Hajna (Slovenia), Bernard Chirol (France), Nivaldo Colzato (Brazil), Mladen Garašić (Croatia), Satoshi Goto (Japan), Gyula Hegedűs (Hungary), Tim Moulds (Australia), Bärbel Vogel (Germany) – UIS Bureau (2017–2022)
David Gillieson (Australia), John Gunn (Great Britain), Augusto Auler (Brazil), Terry Bolger (Laos) – for editing the book “Guidelines for Cave and Karst Protection” (2nd Edition 2022)
Jasmina Rijavec (Slovenia) – for 10 years as UIS Website Manager and for service as IYCK Website Manager
Nadja Zupan Hajna (Slovenia) – for the book “Karst, Caves and People” and contributions to the UNESCO celebration of the IYCK
Nivaldo Colzato (Brazil) – for 8 years as UIS Bulletin Editor, modernizing and digitizing publications
Peter Matthews (Australia) – for 35 years leading the UIS Informatics Commission and development of UIS website and databases
Yves Contet (France) – President of the 18th ICS, and his team – for organizing an exceptional congress under difficult circumstances
2017
Kyung Sik Woo (Korea), George Veni (USA), Efraín Mercado (Puerto Rico), Fadi Nader (Lebanon), Nadja Zupan Hajna (Slovenia), Christian Dodelin (France), Giovanni Badino (Italy), Jean-Pierre Bartholeyns (Belgium), John Cugley (Australia), Nivaldo Colzato (Brazil), Zdeněk Motyčka (Czech Republic) Mladen Garašić (Croatia) – UIS Bureau (2013–2017)
Ángel Eusebio Graña Gonzalez (Cuba) – in appreciation for lifetime international achievements in speleology
Christian Dodelin (France) – for great leadership of the UIS Cave Rescue Commission
Denis March (Australia) – for organizing the 17th ICS (Sydney, 2017)
Jan Paul G. van der Pas (Netherlands) – for great leadership of the UIS Volcanic Caves Commission
Jan Urban (Poland) – for great leadership of the UIS Pseudokarst Commission
José Ayrton Labegalini (Brazil) – in recognition of the work on the book “Fifty Years of the UIS – 1965–2015”
Nivaldo Colzato (Brazil) – for excellent service as editor of the UIS Bulletin
Zdeněk Motyčka (Czech Republic) – for organizing the 16th ICS (Brno, 2013)
2015
Abel Vale (Puerto Rico) – in recognition of dedication as UIS Adjunct Secretary (1997–2005)
Adolpho Eraso Romero (Spain) – in recognition of dedication as UIS Adjunct Secretary (1977–1981) and UIS President (1981–1986)
Andrej Mihevc (Slovenia) – in recognition of dedication as UIS Adjunct Secretary (2001–2009)
Andy Eavis (Great Britain) – in recognition of dedication as UIS Vice President (2001–2005) and UIS President (2005–2013)
Arrigo Cigna (Italy) – in recognition of dedication as UIS President (1973–1981)
Boris Watz (Croatia) – in recognition of the work on the film “Fifty Years of the UIS”
Derek Ford (Canada) – in recognition of dedication as UIS Adjunct Secretary (1977–1981), UIS Vice President (1981–1986), and UIS President (1986–1989)
Jasmina Rijavec (Slovenia) – in recognition of continuous volunteer help with the UIS Website
José Ayrton Labegalini (Brazil) – for the book “Fifty Years of the UIS – 1965–2015”
José Ayrton Labegalini (Brazil) – in recognition of dedication as UIS Vice President (1993–1997), UIS Adjunct Secretary (1997–2001), and UIS President (2001–2005)
Nadja Zupan Hajna (Slovenia) – in recognition of dedication in organizing the UIS 50th Anniversary
Paolo Forti (Italy) – in recognition of dedication as UIS Adjunct Secretary (1986–1993) and UIS President (1993–1997)
Pavel Bosák (Czech Republic) – in recognition of dedication as UIS General Secretary (1993–2005) and UIS Vice President (2005–2009), awarded by UIS President and UIS Past Presidents
Paul Williams (New Zealand) – in recognition of dedication as UIS Adjunct Secretary (2005–2013)
Stein-Erik Lauritzen (Norway) – in recognition of dedication as UIS Adjunct Secretary (2005–2013)