There is now just over a month left until the start of the 35^th IGC. The congress will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 28 August to 2 September 2016. There is still time to register for this prestigious event. We anticipate that over 4,000 delegates from 115 countries will attend the congress.

The core topics for the scientific programme are: Geoscience for Society, Geoscience in the Economy, and Fundamental Geoscience. The scientific programme committee and 180 expert ‘theme champions’ have reviewed almost 5,000 abstracts and are busy scheduling the programme that encompasses 49 themes, comprising over 220 symposia. A wide range of short courses and workshops will be offered over the weekend preceding the congress.

Special Publications

Two new publications on African geology will be available to delegates.  “Africa’s Top Geological Sites” (Struik Nature), edited by Richard and Morris Viljoen and Carl Anhaeusser, includes 44 richly illustrated chapters describing interesting geosites.  A special issue of the IUGS journal “Episodes” will be published to describe the great mineral fields of Africa. These books will be available to interested delegates.

Hosting our future scientists

The conference is an ideal opportunity to expose students and young professionals to the latest developments in the geosciences. Sponsorship from Department of Science and Technology and the NRF has enabled the congress’ GeoHost programme to sponsor the attendance of 66 young and deserving delegates, many from low-income countries. Additional financial support from the Geological Society of South Africa and other sponsors will be used to bring South African students to the event.  

Many volunteer staff are required in logistical support roles at the congress and unemployed graduates, postgraduate students and retired geoscientists are welcome to apply to serve as volunteers during the event.

With thanks

Staff of the Council for Geoscience played a pivotal role in compiling and presenting the successful bid to host the 35^th IGC which was approved by the IUGS Executive Committee during the 33^rd IGC in Oslo, Norway. The Council for Geoscience also provides the essential link between the 35^th IGC Foundation (the not-for-profit company established to organise and host the congress) and government institutions including Department of Science and Technology, the National Research Foundation and Department of Mineral Resources which have made financial contributions to the congress. The Council for Geoscience provided a R5 million grant as bridging finance for the organisation of the 35^th IGC. Staff from the CGS form the event Secretariat that assists the 35^th IGC Foundation, its Board of Directors, and the local organising committee and performs the role of liaison with the IUGS and its numerous adhering members and affiliated institutions.

The Council for Geoscience has registered 103 of its geoscientific staff members to the congress as delegates who will contribute to the scientific programme of oral presentations and posters and scientific leadership on some of the field excursions. Additionally, 37 staff members will assist as volunteers in essential logistical service roles.

The CGS would like to encourage its associated organisations to follow its example in supporting the 35^th IGC materially and financially to ensure that this congress is a memorable event that cements closer collaboration between South African geoscientists and the many visiting delegates and institutions.

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