One of the largest gatherings of leaders in the world of Geoscience will converge on the Cape Town International Centre for the 35th International Geological Congress (IGC).
The congress will take place from the 27th of August to the 2nd of September. Dubbed the “World Cup of Geosciences”, over 4 000 delegates from 121 member countries are expected at the congress. The congress will see an astounding 2 930 oral presentations, 1 708 research poster presentations and 44 keynote addresses being delivered.
The congress returns to Africa after 64 years. It will be the second time the congress will be held in South Africa and the third time it will be hosted on the African continent. South Africa hosted the congress in Pretoria in 1929 while Algeria played host in 1952. It takes place every four years and this year’s programme will focus on three core topics: Geoscience for Society, Fundamental Geoscience, and Geoscience in the Economy.
With the growing debate around climate change and the extensive depletion of the earth’s natural resources, delegates will also focus on themes including Mining Geology and Earth Resource Engineering, Gold Mineralization Systems, and Resourcing Future Generations.
“The IGC has only been hosted on African soil twice before. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have it in South Africa and to showcase the African continent’s geological wonders to the world. Geologists and experts from the Americas, Australia, Europe and, of course, Africa will be getting together, sharing knowledge and expertise in all geosciences across the board,” said Greg Botha, Secretary-General of the IGC.
Hosting such a prestigious congress in Cape Town will also place a spotlight on the exchange of knowledge and ideas.
“Geoscience is such a broad scientific field, and directly and indirectly touches so many aspects of life – conservation; the climate, oceans, the economy and even medicine. Not only is there an exchange of knowledge by some of the best minds in this field, but international congresses such as this enhances the city’s business tourism, which directly affects the local and national economies,” said Julie-May Ellingson, Chief Executive Officer of the CTICC.
For the IGC, Cape Town was the ideal destination to host the international congress.
“When South Africa bid to host the IGC, factors such as an attractive setting, adequate congress facilities to host the 4 000-plus presentations and nearby accommodation were taken into account. Cape Town, and specifically the CTICC, offered all of these,” added Botha.
To find out more about the 35th International Geology Congress, visit http://www.35igc.org.
