International Union of Speleology (French: Union Internationale de Spéléologie, UIS) is a scientific non-governmental organization dedicated to the international promotion and coordination of cave and karst research.
[2] Founded in 1965, UIS is a member of the International Science Council in Paris and cooperates with UNESCO.
At the 4th International Congress of Speleology in Postojna/Ljubljana in 1965, a group of speleologists proposed to establish an association that would bring together scientists and cavers on both sides of the Iron Curtain and coordinate their activities.
The voting delegates to the General Assembly are sent by the national scientific societies and associations.
Of the 12 past presidents in office, 10 have been male:[14] Former general secretaries:[15] Since 1978, UIS publishes the International Journal of Speleology.