The global challenges our planet faces demand integrated solutions, research and policy efforts. The second International MENA Earth Systems Science Congress (MESC) arrives at a critical juncture, as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is challenged with unique environmental pressures and stands at the cusp of rapid development.

From 6-8 April 2027, a diverse assembly of leading scientists, forward-thinking policymakers, innovative industry leaders, and engaged community stakeholders will convene at the stunning Heidelberg Convention Center in Germany. This exceptional venue, strategically located near the headquarters of our esteemed publishing partner Springer Nature, provides the perfect backdrop for strengthing in-depth discussions and providing a platform for the formation of essential partnerships.

MESC 2027 is dedicated to advancing our understanding of Earth's intricate systems. We are focused on translating this knowledge into tangible, cutting-edge solutions for a sustainable and resilient future, not just for the MENA region, but globally. It focuses on the foundational principles of Earth's interconnected systems, exploring the fundamental physical, chemical, and biological processes that govern our planet. It will then examine the dynamic interactions and processes that shape the Earth, from atmospheric circulation and oceanic currents to subsurface hydrological flows. Critical discussions will center on advanced climate science, dissecting regional climate change impacts in arid zones, and pioneering adaptation and mitigation strategies.

The urgent issue of water security will be tackled through presentations on next-generation management technologies and innovative solutions for water-stressed environments. Furthermore, the congress will place a strong emphasis on geoscience in the MENA region, unraveling the region's complex geology, natural hazards, and resource potential, while also leveraging geospatial intelligence for enhanced environmental monitoring and disaster resilience. The overarching themes of sustainable landscape transformation and responsible resource management, including cutting-edge approaches to mining and the circular economy, will guide conversations towards actionable solutions. Finally, the transformative power of data science, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics will be explored as key enablers for deeper understanding, predictive modeling, and informed decision-making across all facets of Earth Systems Science.

Main Axes of MESC 2027

MESC 2027 will delve into critical topics by emphasizing the most current research trends, technological advancements, and interdisciplinary approaches, all while reinforcing the fundamental scientific understanding. The following "hot" main axes reflect the evolving landscape of Earth Systems Science, with a particular focus on the MENA region:

• 1. Fundamentals of Earth System Science:

  Exploring the foundational physical, chemical, and biological principles governing Earth's interconnected spheres (atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere). Advancing our understanding of critical zone processes and their role in nutrient cycling, water partitioning, and ecosystem functioning. Developing integrated frameworks for quantifying Earth system components and their interactions in diverse MENA environments.

• 2. Earth System Processes and Dynamics Foundations

  It includes Advanced research into the dynamics of atmospheric circulation patterns and their influence on MENA weather and climate. Investigating oceanic currents, upwelling, and marine-atmospheric interactions in the Red Sea, Arabian Gulf, and Mediterranean. Understanding surface-subsurface hydrological dynamics, including soil moisture feedbacks and groundwater flow in arid and semi-arid regions. Unraveling the complex interplay between geological processes, climate variability, and ecosystem evolution over various timescales.

• 3. Advanced Climate Science, Adaptation, and Mitigation for Arid Zones

  Exploring the High-resolution regional climate modeling with AI/ML integration for enhanced forecasting. Dynamic vulnerability assessments and early warning systems for extreme heat, dust storms, and flash floods. Nature-based solutions for carbon sequestration and water retention in drylands. Climate-resilient infrastructure design and smart urban planning in MENA megacities.

• 4. Water Security and Management Technologies

  Emerging the Innovative desalination and wastewater reuse technologies (e.g., membrane distillation, bio-filtration, atmospheric water generation). Smart irrigation systems leveraging IoT and satellite imagery. Digital twin models for real-time water resource monitoring and predictive management. Collaborative transboundary water governance frameworks and hydro-diplomacy in shared basins.

• 5. Geoscience in MENA: Unveiling Earth's Processes and Resources

  Presents the Advanced geological mapping and subsurface characterization using geophysical techniques (seismic, electromagnetic, gravity). Hydrogeological modeling and sustainable management of vital aquifer systems, including fossil aquifers. Investigating geothermal energy potential and other unconventional geological resources. Understanding tectonic activity, seismicity, and volcanic hazards specific to the MENA region, and developing strategies for risk mitigation. Unraveling the region's geological history through paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental studies.

• 6. Geospatial Intelligence, Earth Dynamics, and Natural Hazard Resilience

  Emerging: Integration of multi-source remote sensing (satellite, drone, LiDAR) with AI for high-fidelity land cover change detection, desertification monitoring, and geological mapping. Advanced seismic hazard assessment using machine learning. Predictive modeling of sand and dust storms. Application of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and spatial intelligence platforms for dynamic environmental planning and disaster response.

• 7. Sustainable Landscape Transformation and Ecosystem Services

  Emerging: Ecological restoration and rehabilitation of degraded landscapes, including dryland forests and coastal habitats. Biophilic design principles for urban and rural development. Valuing and safeguarding ecosystem services in arid and semi-arid environments. The role of traditional ecological knowledge alongside scientific approaches in sustainable landscape management.

• 8. Responsible Resource Management and the Circular Economy (with a focus on Mining)

  Discusses the Innovative and low-impact sustainable mineral resource extraction techniques. Tailings reprocessing and valorization for secondary resource recovery. Environmental impact assessment and remediation using advanced geospatial and sensor technologies. Promoting a circular economy in resource-intensive sectors across the MENA region, including water, energy, and materials. Green mining initiatives and corporate social responsibility in the context of MENA's growing mineral sector.

• 9. Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Advanced Analytics for Earth Systems

  Emerging: Leveraging Big Data and machine learning models for analyzing vast, complex environmental datasets. Development of explainable AI (XAI) for robust climate and Earth system modeling and prediction. Real-time data streams from ubiquitous sensors and their integration into comprehensive Earth observation platforms. Advancing Citizen Science initiatives for localized data collection, validation, and community engagement in environmental monitoring and decision-making.

General Instructions

1. Expenses:

   The registration fee does not cover accommodation or travel expenses. A list of accommodation options can be suggested by our team if available. Please contact [email protected] for inquiries.

2. Benefits:

   We recommend that all authors take advantage of the benefits that IEREK offers, including various attendance types, publishing opportunities, and opportunities for discounts and waivers.

    
3. Membership:

   We are pleased to inform all applicants that they can use their previous publications to register for an IEREK membership, which offers a special discount.

4. Collaborative Discounts:

   IEREK offers a special discount to applicants from collaborative universities that have signed an MoU with IEREK to host or co-host one of its conferences.

5. Income-Based Discounts:

   IEREK also provides special discounts to authors from low and medium-income countries.

6. Publication Accessibility:
   
   The disclosed fees are for the conference participation (Publication is free of charge, but only the conference participants can be considered for publishing in the conference proceedings).

7. Book Series/ Journal(s) Discounts:
   
   Some of the disclosed conference fees may vary depending on the book series and/or journal(s) presented as a publication outlet, as we encourage submission to newly founded book series and/or journal(s) by presenting a discounted rate for the conference's fees.

    

Publication Opportunities

IEREK offers many alternative venues for publication. All accepted submissions to the conference, after a rigorous double-blinded peer-review process by the respective and highly distinguished Editorial Board, will be published through one of the following venues:

1. Springer Series/IEREK Journals:

   Accepted papers (according to the preference of the author) will be published through the Springer book series or a special issue in one of the IEREK press open-access Journals.

Types of Applications, Attendance, and Registration

IEREK offers many types of registrations that are diverse in registration fees; applicants can choose the type they are familiar with as follows:

1. Academic:

   Participants who are PhD holders, post-doctoral researchers, and universities’ affiliated professors and experts in the field.

2. Students:

   Must provide proof of enrollment in a university by providing an enrollment certificate and/or a valid university ID (with issue/expiry date) etc.

3. Professionals:

   Participants who are not affiliated with universities such as practitioners, policymakers, entrepreneurs, etc.

4. Companions/Co-authors:

   Have access to the event to enjoy the discussions, coffee breaks, and lunch as a co-author or audience.

5. Presentation Only:

   An author may need to attend the conference for presentation only to present a research idea without publication or full paper submission; the fee in this case will be decreased.

Physical Attendance

IEREK offers various types of participation. Applicants can apply for in-person attendance to benefit fully from conference discussions and knowledge exchange.

IEREK also offers virtual attendance for authors to present their research papers online; however, we strongly encourage all applicants to attend the conference in person.

Publication Types:

Type 1:

• Physical attendance + Publication through Scopus

  Through IEREK – Springer Nature Interdisciplinary book series “Advances in Science, Technology, and Innovation” (ASTI). See previous publication here.

Type 2:

• Physical attendance + Publication through Open-access IEREK Press Journals 

The physical fee covers:

• The Conference Kit, which includes a softcopy of the abstract book, Conference notebook, IEREK pen, and Conference Flyers/Printouts.
• IEREK Participation/Contribution Certificate
• Consideration for publication in the IEREK-Springer interdisciplinary series (ASTI series by Springer) or IEREK Press, or any special issues available according to the type of registration in the table above.
• A Preliminary Acceptance Letter
• Lunches and Coffee Breaks

* Each research paper should have one main author who should pay the full fee (Author fees) regardless of attendance. Co-authors, each, have their fees to pay to attend the event. This applies to online attendance as well as physical attendance.

* A research paper fee allows only one author, whether main or co-author, to attend the conference and receive only one conference kit. Extras can be requested for an additional fee.

Online Attendance

IEREK offers virtual attendance, providing authors with a unique link to join the conference sessions and present their papers as per the announced program.

IEREK is dedicated to optimizing the benefits for each delegate so, similar to physical attendance, when it comes to virtual attendance IEREK also provides two venues for publication, which are:

Type 3:

• Online attendance+ Publication through Scopus

  Online attendance + Publication through Scopus Through IEREK – Springer Nature Interdisciplinary book series “Advances in Science, Technology, and Innovation” ASTI, see previous publications here.

Type 4:

• Online attendance+ IEREK press Open-Access Journals

The online fee covers:

• IEREK Participation/Contribution soft copy Certificate.
• Preliminary Acceptance Letter.
• Consideration for publication in the IEREK-Springer interdisciplinary series (ASTI series by Springer) or IEREK Press, or any special issues available according to the type of registration in the table above.
• Access to conference recordings.

* Each research paper should have one main author who should pay the full fee (Author fees) regardless of attendance.

* Co-authors, each, have their fees to pay to attend the event. This applies to online attendance as well as physical attendance.

Discounts and Waiving Opportunities

1. 20%: Participants who come from co-partner universities who have already signed an MOU with IEREK can receive a 20% discount. Authors should mention the key person who signed the agreement with IEREK. You are welcome to inquire if your university has an agreement with IEREK or not yet.
2. 20%: Waiving with 20% from the announced fees for low-income countries according to the World Bank classification mentioned in the document below. (applicable to the regular payment stage)
3. 25%: If multiple abstracts are submitted by the same first author to the conference, a 25% discount is applied to each additional submission according to the deadline for payments.

* Participants can use only one type of discount opportunity, which meets their preferences.

* Authors should contact the conference manager through this email [email protected]  to consider the discount and waiving for all the above cases so that the conference manager can provide an exclusive invoice for each case.

Proof of capability to get the discount:

• A copy of a student enrollment card for 2025 is essential.
• Proof of affiliation to the partnering university is to be provided.
• Proof of previous publication through IEREK conferences. 
• A copy of passport for authors from low-income countries. Added below is the list of low and middle-income countries according to the World Bank classification.

Countries List

Publish through iDirect

iDirect is a new and efficient platform that allows direct submissions of research papers across various fields of science. iDirect accepts and covers all fields of science, not only those related to a particular conference. Individual authors are encouraged to submit their research discussing new ideas and presenting solutions to everyday problems that fall under numerous scientific themes. The iDirect platform is integrated into the peer review system for online conferences. You can publish your work through iDirect without the need to attend the conference or adhere to any submission deadlines. iDirect accepts a wide range of disciplines, eliminating the need to align with the conference's specific theme or scope. Based on the scope of your research, we will identify the most relevant proceedings for publication. The editor will schedule a discussion with you to review your presentation before proceeding to the peer-review process. Learn more here!

Publication Period

IEREK puts a lot of effort into expediting the peer review process to publish articles as quickly as possible. This requires prompt responses from all authors to the editors' comments, if any. Your swift response is highly appreciated to advance the production process and get your articles online. We prioritize the first author to respond as per our formula. The conference proceedings will be divided into multiple books, with the first one scheduled for publication within 6 months after the conference date. We encourage all authors to aim for publication in the first release.

Possibilities for Extra Fees

1. Authors may request that their kits be delivered, for an additional fee decided by the courier, and upon request. Alternatively, authors located in Egypt can pick them up from IEREK headquarters in Alexandria.
2. Additional Conference Kit (Excluding Delivery). *Contact us for a quotation on shipping fees.
3. Gala Dinner, social programs, and other activities.

Visa Application

For participants who need Entry Visas to the country where the conference will be held, IEREK will issue the corresponding invitation letter for accepted applicants to facilitate visa issuance. Please notice that we will attempt to assist you in obtaining a visa but the responsibility is yours and the decision rests solely with the appropriate Embassy. For the requirements of issuing a visa letter please read more here!

 Heidelberg, Germany

We are delighted to welcome you to the historic and vibrant city of Heidelberg, one of Germany’s most picturesque destinations known for its rich cultural heritage and academic tradition.

Heidelberg offers a unique blend of old-world charm and modern infrastructure, nestled along the banks of the Neckar River and surrounded by forested hills. With its world-renowned university, baroque old town, and romantic castle ruins, the city provides an inspiring backdrop for any event or visit.

Highlights of Heidelberg:

• Heidelberg Castle – a stunning landmark overlooking the city

• The Old Bridge (Alte Brücke) – connecting the old town with the opposite riverbank

• Philosophenweg – a scenic walking trail with panoramic views

• Rich cultural scene with theaters, museums, and festivals

Whether you're exploring its historical streets, enjoying local cuisine, or engaging in academic or professional exchanges, Heidelberg offers a memorable and welcoming atmosphere.

Explore Heidelberg on the map:

Attending a conference dramatically enhances both your professional and personal development. They help you sharpen the saw, meet and converse with industry experts, expand your resources and grow your professional network. IEREK Conference will help you:

1. Open Discussions: We bring together leading academic scientists, from different universities and countries, to exchange and share their experiences and research results.

2. Internationally Accredited Certificate: The participants are granted internationally recognized certificates acknowledged by IEREK, the University, and Partnering Organizations.

3. Publication: Selected high-quality manuscripts will be published, after peer review, in the Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation (ASTI) book series by Springer or by IEREK Press Journals, both of which are indexed in world-renowned databases.

4. Research Technologies: Conferences can expand your resources by providing a great opportunity to promote gathered information on new technologies related to your research.

5. Networking: You can engage with industry experts to discuss with them the very latest research projects they could be working on and increase your chances of collaboration in future projects.

6. Academic Reputation: Attending many conferences will make you a known figure in academic circles and an active member of the academic community.

7. Conference Abstracts Material: Delegates will receive the conference Abstracts book in a digital format.

Registration

To help the organizers plan for inter-disciplinary dialogue, participants are requested to choose from the Conference themes/ Topics upon registration.

They must also refer to, and abide by, the following instructions in registering and/ or submitting their contributions:

NOTE: If you are contributing as an Author of a submitted abstract (for publishing consideration and/or presentation), and regardless of attendance, the fee for the registration is the same. See and Conference Fees for more information.

Types of Participation

1. Attend/ Present Virtually and Publish in Conference proceedings

Organized from the comfort of your own home, the conference offers a virtual attendance option for your convenience. That said, participants will have a chance to present their abstract/research, online, and have their work considered for publication in the proceedings.

Virtual presenters are required to submit an abstract and extend this abstract following the “author instructions” below and before the deadline (see Important Dates). At least one author must pay the registration fee (see Conference Fees).

For any reason, authors may wish to submit pre-recorded video presentations no later than 15 days prior to the conference. Alternatively, they may wish to record a voice-over PowerPoint presentation for submission to the conference organizers.

2. Attend/ Present in-person and Publish in indexed Conference proceedings 

Organized in ROMA EVENTI - FONTANA DI TREVI, offering a Physical attendance option for your convenience. That said, participants will have a chance to present their abstract/research, on campus, and have their work considered for publication in the ASTI Series by Springer as part of the conference proceedings.

See Author Instructions and Conference Fees for more information.

    3. Non-presenting participant

Non-presenting participants may also wish to attend the conference as Audience Members or Co-authors contributing to an already submitted abstract/ paper.

Notes to consider:
Send in your questions if you have any to the conference coordinator at the email [email protected]

IEREK has an unyielding policy regarding plagiarism. We believe that copying/taking the ideas and work of other Authors without permission and credit is fraudulent. The Reviewing committee and IEREK employees have the authority to reject a paper during its reviewing process, based on the paper being subjected to either minor or major plagiarism.

Authors must refer to, and abide by, the following instructions in submitting their abstracts/ papers:

Step 1: Abstract Submission Process

• The author should prepare and submit an Abstract of at least 150 – 300 words through the website.
• The abstract should be concise and clearly state the proposed research study's purpose, results, and conclusions.
• The author should select the most relevant topic for the paper from the corresponding conference topics.
• The author can use/download an Abstract Writing Template prior to submission
• To submit your abstract, you first need to (1) click on the “Register” button on the conference page, (2) click on “Submit Now” and:
  • Select the Topic in which you are making the submission
  • Insert the title of your study in the "Paper Title" section
  • Insert the full abstract in the "Abstract" section/upload a file in the .pdf, .doc, .docm, or .docx format
  • Add in writing 3 – 5 keywords that define the field, subfield, topic, and research area covered by the article to help other researchers understand and find your work.
  • Provide the names, affiliations, and E-mails of all authors/ co-authors involved
  • Confirm your submission by ticking having read the instructions and “submit Abstract”

Step 2.1: Abstract Acceptance

• After acceptance of your abstract of at least (150 – 300 words), you will receive a proforma invoice and specific instructions to complete the payment online or by bank transfer (See Conference Fees) to confirm your participation,
• Once your abstract has been accepted, please refer to the important dates tab and carefully review the announced dates to avoid late payment, as late payment comes at an extra charge (early bird/regular/late).
• After successfully completing payment, you will be issued upon request with the following:
  • A signed/ stamped abstract acceptance letter
  • Please note that acceptance of participation, abstract submission, and extended abstract/short paper submissions all have different deadlines. To stay up to date and avoid paying extra fees, or delaying your paper, please carefully review the important dates tab.
  • Receipt of Payment/ Payment Invoice
  • Visa Invitation Letter, if needed
• After abstract acceptance, you may be given the option to extend the abstract to publish your work in the conference proceedings in ASTI published by Springer Nature (indexed in Scopus/SCImago) (optional not obligatory).

  This is not a prerequisite for presenting your work at the conference. Meaning, you can present your submitted abstract without intending to publish your work.

Step 2.2: Abstract Extension / Short Paper (Optional)

• Short papers should be a minimum of 6 pages and contain 4,000 words, excluding references and submitted before the paper submission deadline, in English, and fit within one of the conference topics.
• The Extended abstract i.e., the short paper should follow the research paper structure as follows: Abstract (+keywords), Introduction, problem statement, and study aim, Review of the Literature, Methodology, results and conclusion/ discussion, References list using the Paper Writing Template.
• The submission (short paper i.e. extended abstract) should be made following the same procedure followed for the abstract or sent to the conference email.
• Here: Authors may need more pages than the allotted maximum of 6 to insert figures, tables, appendixes, etc. In this case, they can submit regular papers (max. 12 pages) with the same fixed fee. For a detailed outline of the fees, please refer to the payment table in the conference fees tab.
• The conference does welcome Arabic submissions (with abstracts written in the english language), which will only be considered for publication in BAHETH by IEREK Press.

Step 3: Rigorous Peer Review Process (double-blind)

This process can only be initiated after payment completion and confirmation:

• If submitted, the extension (short paper) will be preliminarily checked (iThenticate plagiarism/ similarity screening Software, readability, and scope) and it will be peer-reviewed. If similarity issues are detected, the following will apply:
  • % from all sources: 10-15%
  • % from one source: 3-5%
  • Higher than 30% (all sources): Reject completely
  • Lower than 30% (all sources): Ask for revision to decrease the similarities
• IEREK has an unyielding policy regarding plagiarism. We believe that copying/ taking the ideas and work of other Authors without permission and credit is fraudulent. The Reviewing committee and IEREK employees have the authority to reject a paper during its reviewing process, on the basis of the paper being subjected to either minor or major plagiarism.
• Each paper/ chapter is evaluated by a minimum of two reviewers, after which a final decision by the responsible Editor is made. There is no maximum to the number of times a paper can be reviewed, depending on the quality of the submission.
• If your short paper is accepted by the Editors for publishing with comments/ requested modifications, our Editors (publishing department) will contact you once a decision is made and you will be asked to revise and correct it. After resubmission, it will be re-checked. Note: There may be more than one round of peer review and the decision rests with the editors of the title. Missed deadlines may result in complete exclusion/ rejection from the final publication.
• If your short paper is accepted for publishing without edits/ comments, the corresponding author will be contacted to provide the final version of their chapters/ papers following Springer Guidelines and sign the Springer consent-to-publish (CTP) form to authorize publication in the conference proceedings.
• A back-and-forth process: modifications will be sent back to the responsible Editor/ Series Editor and another round of evaluation conducted where needed. Participants/ Authors should regularly check their emails (Junk/ Spam folders).
• If you are not interested in publishing an extended abstract in the proceedings in ASTI by Springer Nature, please inform the conference support ([email protected]).

Step 4: Extended paper 

• After the conference, the authors of the best papers will be invited to submit an extended version of their research, 8 – 12+ pages in length, (optional) of their short papers for publishing in an edited volume to be published by Springer Nature.
• Publishing your short paper (i.e., extended abstract) in the conference proceedings does not prevent the submission of the full version for publishing consideration after the conference if the similarity percentages (SR%) in Step 3 are taken into account.

🏰 Top Attractions in Heidelberg, Germany

1. Heidelberg Castle (Schloss Heidelberg)

• Why Visit: One of the most famous ruins in Germany, perched majestically on the hillside.

• Highlights: Renaissance architecture, stunning views of the Old Town, and the world's largest wine barrel.

2. Old Town (Altstadt)

• Why Visit: The heart of Heidelberg, rich in charm, history, and culture.

• Highlights: Narrow cobblestone streets, historic buildings, boutiques, and cafés.

3. Old Bridge (Alte Brücke)

• Why Visit: Iconic sandstone bridge over the Neckar River.

• Highlights: Great photo opportunities, views of the castle, and the famous bridge monkey statue.

4. Philosophenweg (Philosopher’s Walk)

• Why Visit: Scenic walking path across the river from the Old Town.

• Highlights: Panoramic views of the city and castle; perfect for romantic strolls or photography.

- For participants who need Entry Visas to the country where the conference will be held, IEREK will issue the corresponding invitation letter for accepted applicants to facilitate visa issuance.

- Please notice that we will endeavor to assist you in obtaining a visa but the responsibility is yours and the decision rests solely with the appropriate Embassy.

Invitation Letter Issuance Process

1- In case the participant is an author who has submitted a research paper to the conference, it must get accepted by the Scientific Committee

2- Required participation fees must be paid

3- The participant should send the following information to the conference's official email:

* A clear copy of passport

* Passport number

* Full name as written in your passport.

* Date of Issuing and Expiration

* Date of Birth

* Email address of the nearest Embassy/Consulate to you

* Mobile Number including country code

4- Conference coordinator will issue the needful invitation letter and send a copy to the participant's email, in addition to another one to the corresponding email address of embassy/consulate

5- The participant should print out the invitation letter along with all other required documents by the embassy/consulate and apply for VISA

 A.Physical Attendance