A recent increase in fieldwork activity within the Southwestern Basement Province (SBP) of Svalbard followed by detailed geochronological and petrological studies has allowed recognition of previously unknown magmatic and metamorphic events in the studied region. These discoveries of, e.g. true c. 950 Ma granitic magmatism, c. 640 Ma Torellian metamorphism, completely new localities of high-pressure rocks and a c. 360 Ma Ellesmerian, Barrovian-type metamorphic sequence emphasize the importance of further research in this part of the Svalbard Archipelago. Paleogene tectonic overprint of the SBP, manifested by the West Spitsbergen Fold and Thrust Belt, is an additional challenge for geologists working in this part of Svalbard's crystalline basement, and must be taken into account in all interpretations of pre-Cenozoic structures. Several enigmatic issues concerning the evolution of the SBP remain unanswered. Hence, there is a need for continued research in this key area for understanding the geological evolution of the northern Barents Shelf and High Arctic in general.