India to host the 36th International Geological Congress in 2020

Invites geoscientists to participate in the largest and the most prestigious global geoscience event in March 2020

Kolkata, 02 January 2020: India is all set to host the 36^th International Geological Congress in the National Capital Region (NCR) during 2-8 March in 2020. Popularly described as the Olympics of Geosciences, the event is being jointly funded by the Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India and supported by the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) along with the science academies of neighboring countries - Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.  Geological Survey of India is the nodal agency for organizing the event. It is a matter of pride that India is the only Asian country to host the Congress twice. The event is expected to be attended by nearly 6000 delegates from across the world.

The Congress is designed to offer a platform for intensive Geoscientific discourse including nearly 3000 oral and 2000 poster presentations, a premium Geo-exhibition, 70 field visits covering the geological superlatives of the subcontinent and many other attractions including high level business meetings with the international opinion makers.

Regarding the 36^th IGC, Prof. V. P. Dimri, President, 36th International Geological Congress said “It is a wonderful opportunity for the country to host such a significant event aimed at the development of Earth Sciences. 36^th IGC has been designed to enable the participation of meritorious geoscientists worldwide and give them the opportunity to explore the best of the geological wealth of the Indian Subcontinent”. “The Congress will witness debates and discussions on a wide range of issues affecting the world, namely sustainable development, climate change, water and mineral resources, and much more”, he said.

Speaking about the event, Dr. Rasik Ravindra, Secretary General, 36th IGC said “The excitement of the grand scientific spectacle unfolding in March 2020 is building up! It is an honor for us to host the largest geoscience event in India. This event will prove beneficial not only to the geoscientific community, but also to the society at large”.

The event will offer a host of opportunities to the mining & mineral and the allied industries of the country apart from the scientists, researchers and academia. The Central Ministries, State Governments, PSUs and the corporate sector can tap these opportunities to showcase their profile, capabilities, achievements, innovations, interests and aspirations to the scientific community through promotional stalls, business meetings, media interactions, advertisements etc. They can also use the opportunity to attract investors from across the globe in a big way.

Highlights of 36^th IGC

Science Program

Sustainability seems to be the key word in every sphere of life which includes science. The Science Program of the 36th IGC is, thus, built on the theme ‘Geosciences: The Basic Science for a Sustainable Future’. The program includes 45 themes and 287 symposia.  It also includes 13 Plenary Talks and one Public Lecture by internationally renowned geoscientists. The program is expected to usher in an opportunity for cooperative and multidisciplinary scientific research to address contemporary and challenging issues to ensure sustainable development.

Field trips

70 exciting field trips covering the geological superlatives of India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are in store for the delegates. The field trips will be held both Pre and Post Congress.

GeoHost

The GeoHost Program of the 36th IGC is unique financial support program designed to enable young and financially disadvantaged geoscientists to participate in the Congress. It offers an unprecedented support for travel, registration and local hospitality to 1000 delegates in each of these three categories.

Geo-exhibition

A state-of-the-art geo-exhibition has been planned alongside the Congress where more than 200 leading global agencies of the geoscience sector will be exhibiting their products and services. The expo has a mix of pre-fabricated booths and raw spaces suiting to a wide range of budgets.

About International Geological Congress (IGC)

The International Geological Congress (IGC) is a prestigious geoscientific event held quadrennially under aegis of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). The first session of IGC took place in France in 1878. Since the inception of IGC, 35 Congresses have been hosted by 24 countries throughout the world. India had the privilege of organizing the 22nd session of IGC in New Delhi in the year 1964. This was the first IGC in India. The IGC is returning to the Indian soil after a gap of 56 years much to the enthusiasm of the entire geoscientific community.