In Italy, a country with high seismic risk and severe hydrogeological instability, only 55% of the territory is currently covered by modern geological mapping. And yet, geological mapping represents a fundamental basic knowledge tool of the territory for an advanced country that wants to consciously and effectively face the inevitable challenges related to the protection, management and planning of its territory and the sustainable use of its resources. In Bari, Italy, from September 2, about a thousand geologists will gather in 53 sessions and 1,200 scientific communications including oral and poster papers at "Geology for a sustainable management of our Planet", the Joint National Congress of the Italian Geological Society and the Italian Society of Mineralogy and Petrology. "It is impressive to think that in a country like ours, characterized by a fragile territory affected by numerous natural hazards, in 2024 we still do not have an updated and complete knowledge of what we have under our feet. While we explore the cosmos to advance our knowledge little do we know about the 'outermost shell' of our earth", explains Rodolfo Carosi, President of the Italian Geological Society, on the eve of the important National Congress. Its value is equal to that of a national strategic infrastructure with a very high impact, both for its fundamental cultural value and for its usefulness in a wide scenario of practical and applicative areas. The Italian Geological Society has been working with ISPRA for years to promote and publicize at all levels of society the need for Italy to finally provide itself with up-to-date, versatile and modern cartographic-geological bases. From September 2, the highest scientific level of geosciences will meet in the Apulian capital to illustrate all the most important research and results obtained in all fields, from climate change to the seas, from environmental sustainability to the safety of territories, from seismic risk to volcanic risk, from the issue of microplastics to geothermal energy. "The topic of geological mapping will be directly addressed in several sessions. For example, the eleventh, titled 'Back to the future. History of geological studies and mapping as a key for sustainable development", or the twelfth with "Field and digital geological mapping: the numerous facets of CARG project from crystalline basement to sedimentary deposits)", and important contributions from ongoing work on the Italian territory, concluded Carosi, will also contribute significantly to other sessions. Equally important will be session 51 with 'Unveiling the long-lasting evolution of active margins from field to micro-scale', session 47 with 'Evolution of the Variscan crust', and session 38 with 'Frontiers in the regional geology of the Apennines: a multidisciplinary perspective'".