The international calendar of caving events promoted by UIS
The Union Internationale de Spéléologie (UIS) has announced the calendar of world caving events for 2025 and 2026, providing an updated overview of the main events dedicated to the research, conservation, and dissemination of caves and karst systems worldwide.
Caving events 2025: international conferences and gatherings
In 2025, several key appointments will take place, including:
- 18th European Cave Rescue Meeting, from September 25 to 28 in Wojcieszów, Poland, focused on cave rescue techniques.
- Hidden Earth 2025, the UK national conference, from September 26 to 28 in Llangollen, Denbighshire.
- Western Regional 2025, from September 26 to 28 at the Fir and Cove campgrounds in Sequoia National Forest, California, USA.
- Balkan Cavers Camp 2025, from October 1 to 5 in Bosanski Petrovac, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- National Cave & Karst Management Symposium, from October 6 to 10 in Ely, Nevada, USA, focused on karst resource management.
- Geological Society of America (GSA) Connects 2025, from October 19 to 22 in San Antonio, Texas, featuring a session dedicated to hypogenic speleogenesis in memory of Dr. Alexander Klimchouk.
- Capovolta 2025, from October 30 to November 2 in Volta Mantovana, Italy, an international caving meeting: the National Speleology Meeting “CapoVolta.”
2026 Program: in-depth studies and international congresses
Significant events are scheduled for 2026, such as:
- Hawaii Cave Week 2026, from January 18 to 24 in Hawaii, USA, an event combining cave exploration and study.
- 10th Congress – International Show Caves Association (ISCA), planned for November in France, dedicated to show caves.
- 22nd International Symposium on Vulcanospeloeology, November 2026 in the Canary Islands, Spain, focusing on volcanic caves.
Context and role of UIS in international coordination
The UIS represents the international reference organization for speleology, promoting scientific and technical collaboration among cavers worldwide. Through events like those listed, UIS encourages knowledge exchange and the adoption of shared practices for the protection of caves and karst systems, aligned with international guidelines for safeguarding these delicate environments of great geological, biological, and cultural value.
Implications for speleology and conservation
The UIS event calendar highlights the breadth and diversity of caving activities globally, ranging from cave rescue to sustainable management, from scientific research to speleological photography. These appointments are fundamental moments for updating knowledge, developing conservation strategies, and strengthening the international network of cavers and researchers committed to safeguarding karst heritage.
The scheduled events also offer opportunities to discuss emerging themes such as hypogenic speleogenesis and the enhancement of show caves, contributing to a more conscious and integrated management of karst resources respecting sustainable development goals.
The UIS calendar for 2025-2026 confirms the central role of speleology as a scientific and cultural discipline, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation for the protection and promotion of caves and karst landscapes worldwide. Interested parties are invited to contact the event organizers directly to confirm schedules and obtain further details.