The Chilean Geotechnical Society (SOCHIGE) is proud to announce the formal submission of Chile’s candidacy to host the 22nd International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ICSMGE) in Santiago, from 3 to 7 December 2029, under the theme “Geotechnics at the Edge of the World”.
About the Proposal
The bid proposes the Metropolitan Santiago Convention & Event Center (Vitacura) as the conference venue, with a capacity for over 4,800 delegates and more than 7,500 m² of flexible indoor space. The proposed conference chair is Dr. Christian Ledezma (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile), with Dr. Ramón Verdugo and Dr. César Pastén as co-chairs, and Luis Valenzuela as Chief Advisor.
The scientific programme covers five themes: Geotechnics for the Energy Transition, Earthquake Geotechnics and Seismic Risk, Geotechnics for Large-Scale Mining, Data Analytics and AI in Geotechnical Engineering, and Sustainable and Resilient Geotechnical Infrastructure. A special symposium will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the 1960 Valdivia Earthquake — the largest ever instrumentally recorded.
Why Chile?
Chile offers a uniquely compelling setting for the global geotechnical community
Seismic laboratory of the world — home to the 1960 Valdivia earthquake and major events such as Maule 2010 (Mw 8.8) and Illapel 2015 (Mw 8.4), driving world-class advances in earthquake geotechnics
Global mining leader — hosting some of the world’s largest copper and lithium operations, with unmatched expertise in tailings, open-pit, and underground mining geotechnicsUnique geology — over 2,000 volcanoes, 4,300 km of the Andes, and exceptional diversity of geomaterials
Modern, safe capital — Santiago ranks among the safest and best-connected cities in Latin America, with an award-winning metro system, the world’s largest electric bus fleet outside China, and a new international airport with direct connections to all major global hubs
Summer season — December brings warm Mediterranean weather, and world-class post-conference destinations including Patagonia, the Atacama Desert, Easter Island, and Antarctica
Broad Regional and International Support
The bid has received formal letters of support from 9 Latin American geotechnical societies — representing 10 out of 11 societies in the region — as well as from leading Chilean universities, the Government of Chile, the Governor of the Metropolitan Region, Santiago MICE, SERNATUR, and multiple Chilean government ministries. Distinguished international geotechnical figures from Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Spain, Japan, and the United States have also expressed their personal endorsement.
The ICSMGE has never been held in Chile, and has not returned to Latin America since Rio de Janeiro in 1989. Hosting the 22nd edition in Santiago would mark a historic milestone for the region.
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