The International Geographical Union (IGU) and the International Union of Speleology (UIS) have reached an agreement to improve scientific cooperation.

The UIS agrees to the proposed affiliation with the IGU. The IGU agrees to the proposed affiliation with the UIS.

The UIS regards this affiliation as an acknowledgement of the important role of the IGU in the development of geographical and environmental sciences, and as a method of close cooperation.

The IGU regards this affiliation as an acknowledgement of the significant contribution of the UIS to the exploration, documentation, and research activity in regions and environments with underground cavities, and particularly in areas with karst landforms.

Both Unions shall remain independent organisations. The affiliate status can be terminated by a decision of either party to the agreement.

Agreement has been reached on the following:

1. The IGU wants to improve speleological and karstological research, encouraging physical geographers to work in a "Karst Commission" or in a "Geomorphological Commission" comprising karstology as a very important topic, in co-operation with the UIS.
2. One contact person will be nominated by the Executive Committee (Bureau) of each Union. These contact persons will, ex officio, become members of the IGU commission dealing with karst, and of one the UIS scientific commissions. They may be invited to attend the meetings of Executive Committee (Bureau) meetings of both Unions as non-voting members whenever matters of common interest are on the agenda.
3. The Karst Commission of the IGU and scientific commission of the UIS will exchange newsletters.
4. The commissions of both Unions will organise joint meetings in order to avoid duplication of expense and effort.
5. One year before the congress of the IGU, the UIS will give its recommendations for the Karst Commission's programme for the following four years to the President and Executive Committee of the IGU.
6. One year before the congress of the UIS, the IGU will give its suggestions for the UIS scientific commissions' programme for the following four years to the President and Bureau of the UIS.
7. Both Unions will collaborate closely for a stronger involvement in, and representation on, all international programmes about conservation of natural environment, resources, cultural heritage and global changes with reference to the karst areas, especially within the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) and all other governmental and non-governmental organisations.
8. During the 1996 Congress of the IGU, the Karst Commission will organise its meeting in co-operation with the UIS. Similarly, during the 1997 Congress of the UIS, the UIS scientific commissions will endeavour to organise joint meetings with the IGU Karst Commission. This co-operation is expected to continue in the same way during future congresses.

International Geographical Union (IGU)     International Union of Speleology (UIS)
Bern, 25 Jan 1996                          La Chaux-de-Fonds, 17 Aug 1997