IGC24 is the quadrennial gathering organized by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), a worldwide geological sciences professional organization. The previous IGC was cancelled due to the pandemic; consequently, the IGC has not been held for eight years since meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2016. The USGS has been a member of the IUGS since its founding in 1961 and holds a seat on the U.S. National Committee.

IGC24 is a science conference with the added value of formal and informal bi-lateral and multi-lateral meetings with the leadership from Geological Survey Organizations (GSO) from across the globe. USGS scientists participated in technical sessions on critical minerals, geoheritage, and gender equity, as well as service-oriented sessions for the Commission for the Geological Map of the World and other IUGS responsibilities. The Office of International Programs (OIP) coordinated USGS participation, including a heavily visited booth in the exhibit hall.

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OIP Chief Bill Cunningham represents the USGS on the U.S. National Committee as well as on the advisory board for the World Community of Geological Surveys (WCOGS), an informal collaboration that brings the leaders of Geological Survey Organizations together virtually and in person to exchange ideas and learn from one another. Bill Cunningham and Director David Applegate attended the WCOGS business meeting with leaders from at least 18 geological surveys and representatives from the world’s four major regional associations – the Association of Iberoamerican Geological and Mining Surveys (ASGMI), the Organization of African Geological Surveys (OAGS), the EuroGeoSurveys (EGS), and the Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP).

WCOGS also sponsored a technical session where Director Applegate gave an invited presentation, “U.S. Invests in Foundational Geoscience Data Collection, Mapping, and Analysis to Inform Infrastructure Policy.” This talk highlighted the great science in progress by the USGS and our partners through the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI), the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP), and the National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program (NGGDPP) as funded by U.S. investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

OIP’s Kevin Kunkel, with logistical support from the Office of Communications and Publishing’s Public Affairs team and on-site support from Christina DeVera (Geology, Energy and Minerals Science Center), managed the USGS IGC24 exhibit that featured display panels from across USGS mission areas. Foot traffic at our booth was substantial over the course of the five-day conference, and USGS products were popular, especially among students and young scientists. The booth also was a great initial gathering place for meetings with other GSOs.

Because so many geological survey organization leaders attend the quadrennial Congress, it’s a unique opportunity for bilateral meetings to explore opportunities for collaboration. Our visit to Korea also provided an opportunity to visit with several key USGS partners in Korea, including President Pyeong-koo Lee of the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM); Executive Director Shin Do-Shick of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Climate Center (APCC); President Shin Dong-In of the Korean National Institute for Wildlife Disease Control and Prevention (NIWDC) where Director Applegate signed a Letter of Intent to collaborate on the science behind wildlife disease transmission.

We look forward to the next IGC to be held in 2028 in Calgary, Canada.