IRCK secures funding for its operation from IUGS

According to the letter from the Secretary-General of the International Union of Geosciences (IUGS) on March 11, the 76^thExecutive Committee (EC)meeting under IUGS approved the 2021 operation funds applied by the International Research Center on Karst under the Auspices of UNESCO ( "IRCK"), which will be made available in the near future. This is the first time that IRCK has successfully obtained financial support from the IUGS.

IRCK officially became an affiliated organization under IUGS in January 2020. So far, IRCK has become the only affiliated organization under IUGS launched and operated by Chinese scientists. In December 2020, IRCK delivered its annual summary report and fund application, which was approved during the EC meeting in 2021.

The funds will be mainly used to encourage scientists in underdeveloped areas to participate in international workshops and international training organized by the IRCK. The objectives are to improve the scientific research level in underdeveloped areas and expand the influence of IRCK.

The approval indicates that the IUGShas highly recognizedIRCK's efforts. This has greatly stimulated IRCK’senthusiasm in developing karst geology discipline, and enhanced the center's confidence in expanding its disciplinary influence.