Karst landscapes are those formed on particularly soluble limestone beds, where caves, sinkholes, underground rivers, and springs are commonly found. More than just landscapes, karst geoecosystems are unified systems where geological and biological processes are deeply interconnected and co-evolve.

Mexico's caves and karst are vital yet vulnerable repositories of geoheritage, safeguarding unique biodiversity, paleoclimate archives, and cultural history. Despite their significance, these subsurface systems face escalating threats from pollution, unsustainable development, and climate change. This poster argues that effective protection requires speleologists -both national and foreigners - to transcend traditional research and silos, and actively engage in the three dimensions of science diplomacy to inform and shape policy.

We present a strategic framework where speleologists play a key role —by providing first-hand critical experience and non-sensitive data — to empower a deliberate diplomatic engagement: 1) Diplomacy for Science (fostering international agreements for joint research), 2) Science for Diplomacy (using shared cave science as neutral ground to build institutional trust), and 3) Science in Diplomacy (directly informing protected area designations and management plans). This confluence could drive tangible policy outcomes.

For the world’s speleological community, two powerful cases are highly constructive: the UNESCO’s proclamation of September 13^th as the International Day of Caves and Karst. This achievement exemplifies the framework: sustained advocacy by speleological bodies (diplomacy for science) created a global platform (science for diplomacy) to annually elevate political will and channel evidence into conservation action (science in diplomacy). This Day is a catalyst to highlight systems like the Yucatán cenotes and Sierra Madre caves in Mexico, leveraging global attention for local protection. In stark contrast, the recent failure to adopt a dedicated Karst Ecosystems Resolution at UNEA-7 reveals the need for earlier, more strategic engagement with national diplomatic delegations to align speleological objectives with broader foreign policy agendas.

We conclude with a call to action, urging speleologist and scientist to: leverage the International Day for policy workshops; translate cave data into briefs for national agencies; forge formal international research groups; pursue participation at UN’s decision-making forums; and mentor future diplomat-speleologists. By adopting this integrated approach, the speleological community can ensure that their efforts in joint collaboration with vital science, directly secures the world's irreplaceable underground heritage.