NEW DELHI, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- India will host the 36th International Geological Congress (IGC) next year in March, officials said Friday.
"India is gearing up to host the 36th IGC in the capital during the first week of March next year," a statement issued by India's federal ministry of mines said.
"Popularly described as the Olympics of Geosciences, the IGCs are prestigious global geoscientific events held once in four years and participated by around 5000-6000 geoscientists from all across the world."
The theme of the forthcoming conference is "Geosciences: The Basic Science for a Sustainable Development."
"The 36th IGC is expected to provide a platform for international cooperation in all major field of geosciences including launching of collaborative programs, provision of investment opportunities in mining, mineral exploration and environmental management and related enterprises," Coal Secretary Anil Kumar Jain said.
"The forthcoming IGC would help us in dealing with the problems of sustainability, energy crisis, water crisis, climate change, environmental issues and resource management," said M Rajeevan, Secretary of Earth Sciences.
According to officials, a state-of-the-art geo exposition will be held alongside the congress where leading companies in the mines and mineral sector will showcase their products and services.
India hosted the event in 1964 for the first time, which was the 22nd IGC.
