International Conference on Geological Issues of Central Asia
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia | September 13–17, 2026

Conference Overview

The International Conference on Geological Issues of Central Asia (GICA 2026), held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from September 13 to 17, 2026, served as a premier global forum connecting geoscientific research with macro-regional economic policy. Convened at the Chinggis Khaan National Museum, the opening ceremony established a sophisticated network of international experts focused on the geodynamic, stratigraphic, and metallogenic frameworks of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), while simultaneously celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Institute of Geology at the Mongolian Academy of Sciences (MAS). The strategic importance of the event was underscored by a high-level delegation including D. Regdel, Member of the State Great Khural and former MAS President; S. Demberel, current MAS President; and A. Bayarbaatar, Head of the MAS Presidium Office, alongside key representatives from the Ministry of Economy and Development. Diplomatic and international research ties were further highlighted by the presence of Jan Vytopil, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Mongolia, reflecting active co-organization and long-term academic partnerships between MAS, the Czech Geological Survey, and Charles University in Prague. This convergence of policy, diplomacy, and foundational science set the stage for highly impactful scientific sessions led by world-renowned keynote speakers, including Prof. Karel Schulmann and distinguished experts, who provided critical insights into continental evolution and regional tectonics.

The principal domestic co-organizers included the Erdenet Mining Corporation, the Mongolian University of Science and Technology, and the National University of Mongolia, who collaborated with an extensive array of international partners from Czechia, Poland, China, Russia, the United States, Germany, and Australia. Generously powered by Rio Tinto Mongolia and the National Science and Technology Fund of Mongolia, GICA 2026 was conducted under the distinguished chairmanship of Dr. Turbold Sukhbaatar. The conference effectively bridged fundamental research in lithospheric sciences with applied economic geology. The insights disseminated during the event, encompassing topics ranging from Proterozoic supercontinent cycles to artificial intelligence-driven mineral forecasting, not only illuminated the substantial resource potential of the region but also affirmed Central Asia’s status as a pivotal natural laboratory for contemporary geosciences. The conference provided an important platform for discussing the geological aspects of the Central Asian lithosphere. The Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), the largest Phanerozoic accretionary orogen in the world, along with the Mongolian Collage, offers valuable insights into the growth processes of the continental crust.

CONFERENCE SESSIONS

The conference focused on six key thematic areas within contemporary geosciences. Topics included the paleogeography and supercontinent cycles of the CAOB, examining the relationships between ancient oceanic closures and global supercontinent formation. Research on the Mongolian Collage addressed the intricate histories of accretion, subduction, and collision involving diverse island arcs, ophiolites, and microcontinental fragments.

Additionally, advancements in basin analysis and stratigraphy highlighted localized responses of the upper crust to changing tectonic regimes. High-precision isotope geochemistry and geochronology provided crucial insights into crustal evolution. The integration of data improved understanding of metallogenic frameworks and the distribution of significant mineral deposits. Finally, the use of advanced technology and big data analysis showcased the potential of machine learning and remote sensing in enhancing geophysical interpretations and mineral exploration.

GICA 2026’s outcomes contribute to the understanding of accretionary orogens, establishing a solid foundation for sustainable resource evaluation across Central Asia.

Prof. Karel Schulmann, Czech Geological Survey

Synthesizes the progressive amalgamation of the Siberian Craton with a peri-Rodinian archipelago of continental fragments (Zavkhan, Baydrag, Tarvagatai, Erendevaa), transitioning through subduction polarity switches to form a unified lithospheric plate.

Dr. Turbold Sukhbaatar, Institute of Geology Mongolian Academy of Sciences

Proposing an update to the traditional 44-terrane framework established by Badarch et a., (2002). The modern analysis suggests that the structural fragmentation resulting from late geodynamic activities may lead to an overestimation of terrane boundaries. In reality, these boundaries are primarily influenced by continuous crustal reworking and slab rollback processes.

Prof. Chris Clark, Curtin University, Australia

Integrates metamorphic petrology datasets into regional geodynamic equations to refine macro-scale crustal deformation lines.

Host Institute

The Institute of Geology, MAS, has recently commemorated a significant milestone, namely the 60th anniversary of its establishment (1966–2026), which celebrates six decades of pioneering foundational and applied geoscientific research. As the paramount geological research institution in Mongolia, the Institute has organized the Global International Conference on Geodynamics and Application (GICA) 2026 to serve as a high-level international forum dedicated to addressing the multi-scale geodynamic evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) and the associated Mongolian Collage. The scientific program encompasses a comprehensive array of cutting-edge international research organized around six principal thematic axes: paleogeography and supercontinent cycles; regional tectonics; basin analysis and stratigraphy; isotope geochemistry and geochronology; mineral resources and metallogeny; and advanced technological data analysis.

The academic sessions have been significantly informed by the research expertise of the Institute’s four specialized departments:

– The Regional Geology, Tectonics, and Magmatism Sector anchored large-scale paleogeographic reconstructions, tracked long-term subduction-related magmatic cycles, and provided high-precision isotopic and geochronological constraints on Phanerozoic continental growth.

– The Structural Geology and Lithospheric Research Sector led the geometric and kinematic modeling of the complex Mongolian Collage, detailing macro-structural deformation patterns and the deep lithospheric architecture of the accretionary orogen.

– The Mineral Resources and Metallogeny Sector has spearheaded comprehensive evaluations of localized upper-crustal responses within sedimentary basins while refining the structural-fluid frameworks that govern the region’s distinguished porphyry, orogenic gold, and rare-metal systems.

– The Geoheritage and Innovation Sector has facilitated critical discussions regarding the preservation of essential regional geological strata, concurrently promoting the application of remote sensing, machine learning, and big data analytics within contemporary predictive exploration methodologies.

By effectively bridging deep-time geodynamic modeling with innovative analytical methodologies, the proceedings of GICA 2026 not only pay tribute to the academic legacy of the Institute of Geology, MAS, but also establish a modernized framework for tectonic synthesis, sustainable resource stewardship, and collaborative capacity-building efforts in Central Asia.

Host and Funding Institutions

We extend our sincere appreciation to all institutions that contribute funding and collaborate with us in organizing our initiatives. Your support is invaluable to our success.