The UIS is a non-profit, non-governmental organization which promotes interaction between academic and technical speleologists of a wide range of nationalities to develop and coordinate international speleology in all of its scientific, technical, cultural, and economic aspects.
The Karst Commission is one of the oldest and most active commissions of the International Association of Hydrogeologists, due to celebrate its 50th birthday in 2020. Today, this network of academics, practicing hydrogeologists and water resources professionals has the goal of promoting a defensible scientific basis and professional practice for the sustainable management of karst water resources for multiple uses, including safe drinking water, agriculture and protection of ecosystems.