Following the kind invitation, it is for me a great honour and pleasure, on behalf of the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, to welcome this new number of Soils & Rocks, in English version, edited by ABMS, ABGE and SPG. I would like to stress the very important role played by these Societies for the development of research, education, design and safety evaluation of geotechnical structures in Europe and South America.