The symposium is organized by the International Association for the Study of Fossil Cnidaria and Sponges with the scientific and financial support of a number of Belgian institutions and organizations. Board member of the Ukrainian Association of Geologists V. Ohar participated in the event.
Belgium is not accidentally selected to hold the next meeting of paleontologists involved in the study of fossil cnidaria and sponges. This country has one of the most famous Paleozoic coral science schools. It is enough to name such famous Belgian paleontologists as de Koninck L.G., A. Saleè. Modern researchers develop and multiply the traditions of the school. Its prominent representative is Professor Liege E. Poti, who, in particular, belongs to the development of the zonal scale of the tops of the Devonian and the Lower Carboniferous of Belgium behind rugs.
Over 140 specialists from different countries and continents participated in the scientific gathering, studying archeociots, corals (rugos and tabulates, scleractinia), sponges and various fossil bioconstructions. There were many young speakers. The young scientists represented, in particular, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Japan, China, Iran, Australia and other countries. Russia was represented by A. Kosov (VSEGEI) and M. Hecker (PIN RAS).
The symposium was accompanied by geological excursions to the outcrops of the upper Devonian and Lower Carboniferous regions of Southern Belgium. This part of the outcrop was studied in great detail.