I would like to invite you to participate in the 83^rd EAGE Annual Conference and Exhibition to be held in Madrid in June 2022. The EAGE is one of the leading global professional associations for Geoscientists and Engineers and the Annual Conference is a fantastic opportunity to connect and interact with colleagues from several industries and disciplines.

As I draft this 83^rd Conference Welcoming Message, the world is already recovering from the COVID-19 health crisis that has directly affected millions of people across the planet. The pandemic has not only contracted most global economies, it has also accelerated deep change in key global sectors like Energy and Technology.

The Energy sector was already visualising change to respond to the challenges of the Energy Transition and the pandemic has simply accelerated this transformation. The frequency and intensity of extreme climate events keeps increasing and the demand for action is now pervasive from our society, mobilising governments, institutions and investors. At the same time, the huge fluctuations in energy demand and prices associated to the reactivation of the economies have revealed the need for pragmatic solutions to ensure a sustainable transition that guarantees our vital energy supply.

The Technology sector has emerged reinforced from the pandemic, due to the proliferation of digital tools, electronic commerce and new ways of working associated to the restrictions. In a matter of months, the digitalization of most companies work processes and habits took a huge leap forward, perhaps forever changing the way we will conduct our daily activities and interactions.

The waves of change that are affecting the Energy sector and the digital workplace will inevitably impact the Geosciences and Engineering professionals which will have to adjust, develop and foster new competencies and practices into this new era. EAGE, as one of the largest subsurface professional’s association in the world, can and should play a role in outlining and promoting some of these new competencies and practices that will make Geoscientists and Engineers more competitive in accessing the opportunities that this new environment will provide. That’s why we have chosen “Leading Geosciences into a New Era” as the 83^rd EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition theme.

We are working on a Conference Programme that will address these challenges, promote the debate and offer some guidance on the future of our professions. We are confident that it will be of interest to all EAGE members and we are looking forward to seeing you in Madrid in 2022.