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Conference name:
IGU REGIONAL CONFERENCE 2026

Theme:
EXPLORING THE EARTH, CONNECTING THE WORLDS

Location:
Istanbul, Türkiye

Dates:
17-21 August 2026

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Report by:
Kim Andreas Kessler / C.24.34 Secretary

Conference overview

The IGU Regional Conference (IRC) 2026, held under the theme ‘Exploring the Earth, Connecting the Worlds’, aimed to discover the richness of geographical science by providing a platform that emphasises the importance of geographical research and science and offering participants the opportunity to exchange knowledge, get inspired, and establish collaborations with colleagues from different geographical contexts. 

The conference was held at Istanbul University, situated in Beyazit, on Istanbul’s historic peninsula on the European side of the city. 

It was organised by the IGU and Istanbul University, with Prof Barbaros Gönençgil, IGU Secretary and Professor at Istanbul University, chairing the local organising committee. Dekon Congress & Tourism was contracted as the conference management company. 

The conference comprised oral and poster presentations delivered in sessions organised by IGU Commissions, alongside a small number of thematic sessions not affiliated with a Commission. Thirty-eight IGU Commissions organised sessions, and over 950 participants registered for the conference. The conference was held entirely in person, with no option for online participation. 

The conference commenced with an Opening Ceremony, which was well attended and featured live classical music performed by Istanbul University staff members. The less well attended Closing Ceremony included words of thanks, the Gold Medal Ceremony of the International Geography Olympiad, the presentation of the IGU awards, information about the 2028 IGU Congress in Melbourne, and a group photo. 

The regular conference registration fee was EUR 500, with a discounted rate of EUR 225 for students. The conference also included a Conference Dinner Cruise on the Bosporus and offered various field trips for an additional charge.

Among participants from Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Oceania, a few of Istanbul’s famous local cats appeared keen to join the conference as well.

Marginality Commission (C.24.34) participation

The Marginality Commission (C.24.34) organised five sessions at the conference with a total of 14 oral presentations delivered. 

Across these sessions, presentations explored social, spatial, economic, environmental, and political forms of marginalisation in both the Global South and the Global North, as well as in urban and rural contexts. Attendance at individual presentations varied, with approximately 10 to 25 participants.

A business meeting was scheduled for the last day of the conference but had to be postponed due to significant delays in the Friday morning programme.

The conference offered an opportunity for the Secretary to conduct a one-hour, semi-structured, audio-recorded interview with Profs Leimgruber, Nel, and Heffner on the history of the Marginality Commission. It is envisaged that the interview material will be used to communicate the Commission’s history and its significance to current and prospective members, identify lessons learned and inform future activities, and potentially serve as a basis for a publication. 

The Commission was able to provide financial support to four Commission members to attend and present at the conference. 

The conference also offered valuable opportunities for participating Commission members to meet in-person, exchange knowledge, brainstorm future activities, and socialise to foster lasting connections. 

Three new members have joined the Commission following the conference (one each from India, Mexico, and South Korea). 

Furthermore, the Secretary made initial contact with Prof Eje Kim, President of the Great Geographic Association (GGA), based in South Korea, and discussed potential joint activities between GGA and C.24.34.

Key highlights 

The presentations in the sessions organised by the Marginality Commission clearly highlighted the relevance of geographical marginality research in the contemporary world and across multiple dimensions and diverse geographical contexts.

The conference brough together participations from across the world, reflecting the international character of the IGU and its Commissions and providing opportunities for exchange across diverse geographical contexts. The conference offered valuable opportunities to strengthen existing connections and broaden the networks of the Commission and participating Commission members.

Key concerns

Several participants (commission members and other participants) highlighted concerns about inequalities in the quality of presentation facilities across presentation rooms. Some presenters had to use screens that were difficult for audiences to see due to the very small size of the projected image and technical issues, whereas others presented in rooms equipped with large screens and more modern projectors. 

There was some dissatisfaction with the conference programme. Some sessions of the Marginality Commission were scheduled in parallel, dividing Commission members between sessions rather than bringing them together. 

These matters were unfortunately outside the control of the Marginality Commission, but the concerns were raised with the conference organisers as soon as they arose, and provide important lessons for the organisation of future IGU conferences.

Further information

For more information about the conference, please visit: https://www.irc2026.org/en/default.asp 

For more information about the Marginality Commission (C.24.34), please visit: https://www.igu-marginality.info 

Dunedin, New Zealand, 5 September 2026

Kim Andreas Kessler
C.24.34 Secretary

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