The International Geographical Union – Commission of Mountain Studies (IGU-CMS) proudly supported the SECTEI 2025 International Conference, held on 8–10 October in Athens. Organized under the theme “Montology & Chimborazo: Convergence in Ecoregional Sustainability for Science, Technology & Innovation,” the event brought together leading scholars, practitioners, and institutional partners from across the world.
Hosted by the Superior Polytechnic School of Chimborazo (ESPOCH) as part of their SECTEI Week, and coordinated by Prof. Fausto Sarmiento (University of Georgia) and Prof. Renato Chávez (ESPOCH), the conference served as an international platform for advancing the montological approach and highlighting Chimborazo as a center for collaborative mountain research.
Highlights from Day 1
The opening ceremony featured welcoming remarks from the coordinators, followed by institutional addresses delivered by Dr. Byron Vaca, Rector of ESPOCH, and Dr. Elizabeth Weeks, Associate Provost at the University of Georgia.
The first keynote of the day, delivered by Prof. Andrea Fischer (Austrian Academy of Sciences), explored the montology of glaciers, ecosystems, and people, emphasizing the value of local knowledge in global climate adaptation strategies.
Throughout the day, experts from UGA and ESPOCH presented research on ecotourism, volcanology, cultural heritage, landscape studies, and innovative approaches to connecting urban and rural areas of the Andes.
The afternoon keynote by Assoc. Prof. Carla Marchant (Universidad Austral de Chile) focused on sustainable development and resilience in the Southern Andes under climate change, underscoring the need for cross-regional collaboration.
Highlights from Day 2
The second day centered on mountain dynamics, geospatial modeling, climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable innovation.
Keynote presentations were delivered by:
- Asst. Prof. Neslihan Dal (Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Türkiye)
- Prof. José Sánchez Agudo (University of Salamanca, Spain)
- Prof. Mark B. Bush (Florida Institute of Technology)
The day continued with diverse sessions addressing climate vulnerability, Andean volcanology, high-altitude lake systems, biodiversity-based volcano monitoring, ecotourism, and circular innovations in agro-industries. Contributions came from scholars across the Americas and beyond, creating a vibrant space for interdisciplinary dialogue.
IGU-CMS Participation and Support
The conference featured active involvement from IGU-CMS leadership and members, including:
- Prof. Irasema Alcántara-Ayala – Vice Chair
- Prof. Lynn Resler – Steering Committee Member
- Asst. Prof. Neslihan Dal – Secretary
- Distinguished speakers Prof. Andrea Fischer, Prof. Mark B. Bush, Prof. José Sánchez Agudo, Assoc. Prof. Carla Marchant
- Additional IGU-CMS scholars contributing throughout the program
The strong IGU-CMS presence underscored the Commission’s commitment to fostering global collaboration, promoting mountain sustainability, and supporting innovative research across the Andes and other mountain regions.
A Successful Gathering for Global Mountain Studies
With its rich academic program and international participation, the SECTEI 2025 International Conference successfully advanced discussions on mountain sustainability, resilience, climate adaptation, and the role of science and technology in shaping ecoregional futures.
IGU-CMS is honored to have supported this impactful event and looks forward to continued collaboration with ESPOCH, the University of Georgia, and global partners dedicated to advancing mountain studies.