GEA International Scientific Conference 2026
Hybrid Conference (On-site & Online)

Sustainable Futures for the Western Balkans: Integrating Climate, Natural Resources, and Sustainable Management

19–22 August 2026 | Budva, Montenegro

The GEA International Scientific Conference 2026 is a focused international hybrid scientific meeting that brings together invited researchers, university professors, decision-makers, and professionals working in environmental sciences, natural resource management, sustainable development, and related disciplines.

Organized under the GEA (Geo Eco-Eco Agro) scientific platform, the conference provides an interdisciplinary forum for exchanging scientific knowledge, presenting recent research results, and strengthening international cooperation. The hybrid format combines on-site participation in Montenegro with online presentations, enabling broader international engagement while maintaining active scientific discussion.

The scientific programme will focus on current challenges and future opportunities related to climate change, soil and water conservation, ecosystem management, sustainable tourism, environmental protection, regional development, and innovative management approaches supporting resilient communities throughout the Western Balkans.

Beyond scientific presentations, the conference aims to stimulate new international partnerships, collaborative research projects, and dialogue between academia, public institutions, and the private sector.

Keynote speakers:

The conference will feature invited keynote lectures delivered by internationally recognized scientists and experts representing leading universities and research institutions.

Professor Duihu Ning is the President of the World Association of Soil and Water Conservation and the Chairman of the International Cooperation Working Committee of the Chinese Society of Soil and Water Conservation. He is also the former Deputy Director of the International Research and Training Center on Erosion and Sedimentation. His research focuses on soil and water conservation policies, as well as soil erosion caused by production and construction projects. He played a key role in the revision of the Law of Soil and Water Conservation of the People’s Republic of China. The equations for estimating soil loss from production and construction projects, developed by the research team he led, have been widely applied across China. Additionally, he founded the official journal of WASWAC, International Soil and Water Conservation Research.

Professor Dr. Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi is one of the world's leading experts in soil erosion, sediment yield, hydrology, and watershed management, whose scientific achievements and mentorship have significantly influenced generations of researchers. As a professor at Tarbiat Modares University, Deputy President of WASWAC, and editor of several leading international journals, he has authored hundreds of scientific publications and supervised around 100 MSc and PhD students. Beyond his outstanding academic career, Professor Sadeghi is a sincere friend of Montenegro who has made a lasting contribution to strengthening international scientific cooperation and supporting young researchers in the field of soil and water conservation.

Professor Dr. Philip D. Hughes is Professor of Physical Geography at the University of Manchester and one of the world's leading experts in Quaternary glaciations, glacial geomorphology, and Mediterranean mountain environments. His pioneering research on the glacial history of Montenegro, the Balkans, and the wider Mediterranean has fundamentally advanced our understanding of past climate change and its implications for present-day water resources and mountain ecosystems. Combining extensive field investigations with cutting-edge geochronological methods, Professor Hughes provides internationally recognized expertise on glacier evolution and climate change in some of Europe's most environmentally sensitive regions.

Oksana Fotina is an experienced expert in international relations and higher education who serves as Director of the International Relations Center at Perm State Agro-Technological University, where she coordinates international partnerships, academic mobility, and scientific cooperation. With extensive experience in science communication, editorial work, and multilingual academic collaboration, she has made a significant contribution to connecting researchers and institutions across Europe and Asia. Through her long-standing engagement with GEA, she has strengthened international participation, supported scientific publishing, and helped expand the organization's global academic network.

Dr. Devraj Chalise is an internationally recognized soil scientist and agricultural researcher whose work integrates soil fertility, environmental modelling, GIS, and precision agriculture to support sustainable land management. Based in Australia, he collaborates with industry and academia to develop innovative nutrient management solutions while advancing research on soil conservation and environmental resilience. A long-standing member of the GEA network, Dr. Chalise has played an important role in the international application and further development of the IntErO erosion model, strengthening scientific collaboration between Australia and Montenegro.

Dr. Branislav Dudic, Comenius University in Bratislava and the University of Business Academy in Novi Sad, specializing in international economics, EU integration, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. Through more than 90 scientific publications and numerous international research projects, he has made significant contributions to economic policy, innovation, and cross-border academic cooperation. As an active member of the GEA Scientific Platform, Dr. Dudic promotes international collaboration and interdisciplinary research, helping strengthen scientific partnerships across Europe and beyond.

Zeljko Kalezic is one of Montenegro’s leading experts in archaeological and cultural heritage conservation and currently serves as Director of the Centre for Conservation and Archaeology of Montenegro. With more than three decades of professional experience, he has led numerous archaeological excavations, conservation projects, and heritage restoration initiatives, making a significant contribution to the preservation of Montenegro’s cultural legacy. His current research focuses on integrating cultural heritage conservation with sustainable development, climate adaptation, and innovative approaches to the management of archaeological and geoheritage sites.

Goran Bubanja is a Montenegrin historian, museum advisor, and curator whose work is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Montenegro’s cultural and natural heritage. Through his extensive research, museum exhibitions, and publications, he has made significant contributions to the study of historical artifacts, traditional landscapes, and the cultural identity of coastal and inland communities. His interdisciplinary approach connects history with environmental sustainability, demonstrating how cultural heritage can support contemporary strategies for nature conservation and sustainable development.

Professor Dr. Paolo Billi is an internationally renowned geomorphologist whose pioneering research on river dynamics, sediment transport, soil erosion, and climate change has made a lasting impact on environmental science and sustainable land management. Through decades of collaboration with Montenegrin institutions, he has significantly advanced research on soil erosion modelling, river basin management, and international scientific cooperation, while helping establish long-term academic partnerships between Montenegro and leading European universities. His outstanding scientific achievements, extensive international experience, and continued support for GEA have made him one of Montenegro’s most valued international collaborators in the fields of geomorphology and environmental sustainability.

Professor Dr. Ronaldo Luiz Mincato is a distinguished Brazilian geoscientist and environmental researcher whose work in soil conservation, erosion modelling, and sustainable land management has gained wide international recognition. As a long-standing collaborator of Montenegrin researchers, he has played a key role in applying and validating the IntErO and EPM erosion models in Brazil, strengthening scientific cooperation and promoting knowledge exchange between South America and the Balkans. Through his research, academic leadership, and active involvement in GEA, Professor Mincato has made a lasting contribution to the advancement of global soil erosion science and international environmental collaboration.

Professor Dr. Tin Lukic is an Associate Professor at the University of Novi Sad and a highly respected researcher in physical geography, climate change, environmental hazards, and geoheritage, with an outstanding international scientific record. Through his extensive research, editorial activities, and participation in major international projects, he has made significant contributions to understanding environmental change and promoting sustainable land management across the Balkan region. A long-standing collaborator of Montenegrin researchers and an active member of the GEA network, Professor Lukic is recognized not only for his scientific excellence but also for his commitment to teamwork, regional cooperation, and mentoring the next generation of scientists.

Milica Filipovic is a young Montenegrin researcher whose work focuses on soil erosion modelling, sustainable land management, and the application of advanced GIS-based environmental assessment tools. Her research on the development and application of the Global IntErO model has contributed to improving erosion prediction and watershed management, with particular emphasis on the Tara River basin and the coastal catchments of Montenegro. Through active participation in international scientific projects and conferences, she represents a new generation of Montenegrin scientists committed to innovative research and international collaboration in environmental sciences. 

Professor Dr. Goran Skataric is a distinguished Montenegrin scholar specializing in agro-economics, sustainable rural development, environmental engineering, and natural resource management, with more than three decades of academic, research, and policy experience. As a WASWAC Councilor and an active leader of numerous national and international initiatives, he has made significant contributions to soil and water conservation, climate adaptation, environmental policy, and the promotion of sustainable development in Montenegro and the wider Balkan region. Through his scientific achievements, institutional leadership, and international cooperation, Professor Škatari? has become one of the leading advocates for integrating environmental protection, rural development, and evidence-based decision-making.

Professor Dr. Slobodan B. Markovic is a full member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU) and one of Europe's most distinguished geoscientists, internationally recognized for his pioneering research in Quaternary science, loess stratigraphy, paleoclimate, and physical geography. With more than 250 scientific publications, exceptional citation impact, and leadership in major international research initiatives, he has made fundamental contributions to understanding Earth's environmental history and climate evolution. Beyond his outstanding scientific achievements, Professor Markovic is widely respected for his academic leadership, mentorship, and long-standing commitment to fostering international collaboration, making him one of the most influential figures in contemporary geosciences.

Professor Dr. Velibor Spalevic is an internationally recognized expert in soil and water conservation, watershed management, and environmental modelling whose research has significantly advanced the understanding of soil erosion and sustainable land management. As the developer of the IntErO model and author of more than 500 scientific contributions, he has led numerous international research projects, fostered global scientific cooperation, and mentored a new generation of researchers across Europe, Asia, and South America. Through his academic leadership, editorial work, and long-standing commitment to international collaboration, Professor Spalevi? has become one of Montenegro's most influential scientists in the fields of environmental science, agricultural engineering, and natural resource management.

Additional keynote speakers will be announced soon.

Conference Topics
-Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability
-Soil and Water Conservation
-Natural Resource Management
-Sustainable Land Use
-Environmental Management
-Sustainable Tourism and Regional Development
-Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
-GIS, Remote Sensing and Environmental Modelling
-Geoheritage and Cultural Landscapes
-Circular Economy and Green Innovation
-Sustainable Business and Management
-Agriculture and Rural Development

Participation
The conference will be organized in a hybrid format, allowing participants to attend either:
-On-site in Budva, Montenegro
-Online via the conference platform
Venue: Alekse Santica 25, Becici, Budva, Montenegro

Participation is by invitation and registration.

 

 

Neke od studijskih i istraživackih posjeta, terena i vijesti
Some of the study and research visits, fieldwork, and news
Quelques-unes des visites d’étude et de recherche, travaux de terrain et nouvelles
Link: https://www.geasci.org/page.php?id=204