ArmInfo. Actual problems of speleology, archeology, ecology and biodiversity of caves were recently reviewed at the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the National University of Architecture and Construction of the international speliological conference Caves as natural & Cultural Monuments. The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, as well as a number of universities and research institutes supported the conference.
Over 70 delegates from various countries (Armenia, Russia, Germany, USA, Bulgaria, as well as representatives of the United Nations of Great Britain, France, Japan, Italy, Switzerland, Australia, Israel, Spain, China, Lebanon) presented the results of their research. In addition to world-famous cavers, historians, geologists and archaeologists, the conference was also attended by specialists in the field of geophysics, chemistry, bioengineering, biochemistry, microbiology, ethnography and many other specialties. Along with the actual problems of speleology of archeology, ecology and biodiversity of caves, the delegates also discussed the prospects of development of speleological tourism in Armenia. Rector of the National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia awarded the diploma of an honorary doctor to the world famous scientist from Switzerland Roberto Bixio for his special contribution to the speleological research of the territory of Historical Western Armenia.