The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), founded in 1961, is one of the World’s largest scientific organisations. It encourages international co-operation and participation in the earth sciences in relation to human welfare and is a member of the International Council for Science (ICSU). Membership is open to countries or defined regions. IUGS has over 120 members representing over a million geoscientists. IUGS works through topic specific Commissions, Task Groups, and Initiatives as well as Joint Programmes with other organisations. INTERNATIONAL GEOLOGICAL CONGRESS (IGC) First held in 1878, the quadrennial IGC is now a premier event of the earth science calendar covering the whole span of geosciences. The IUGS has been involved in its organisation since 1961 and is now responsible for the Congress. Future venues for the IGC include Dehli, India (2020) and Busan, South Korea (2024). INTERNATIONAL GEOSCIENCE PROGRAM (IGCP) Since 1972, this flagship UNESCO/IUGS program has provided support that has enabled geoscientists separated by economic and political barriers to collaborate on research and outreach projects worldwide. EPISODES IUGS’ s quarterly journal provides news on developments in the geosciences of regional and global importance and original scientific research papers. Current and back issues can be read free of charge at their website or at the IUGS website. Contacts The IUGS Secretariat is located in Beijing, China and is financially supported by the Government of China and the IUGS. All the matters concerning IUGS may be directed to the IUGS Secretariat or the IUGS Secretary General. NOTE: the IUGS Secretariat moved to the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing on 1st December 2012. The INTERNATIONAL UNION OF GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES is a 501 c (3) non-profit organisation registered in the USA.