Volume 44, Issue 4

Although the COVID-19 pandemic will continue affecting every aspect of our life, it seems that we have crossed the worst phase and have gradually resumed all professional and personal activities of pre-COVID times. International travel is back, and academic activities and scientific meetings are back to in-person mode. I feel fortunate to serve IUPAC as Vice President during this biennium of revamping period. I wish to share my observations and potential opportunities for IUPAC, and I’ll appreciate your help and response.

In 2019, IUPAC launched the “Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry Initiative.” [1] This project, nowadays consolidated and recognised by experts worldwide, highlights the value of chemical sciences in the transition to a green economy and a more sustainable world, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [2]. Moreover, in 2022 we join the celebration of the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development (IYBSSD), a United Nations (UN) resolution to reaffirm and emphasise the importance of basic sciences, chemistry among them, to attain the ambitious SDGs by 2030.

The IUPAC Global Women’s Breakfast (GWB2022) was celebrated at over 400 events around the world on February 16, 2022. By all metrics, it was more successful than ever before but how are those measurements mirrored in individual experiences? During this International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development, the place of all people within science to make an impact will continue to be celebrated and we invite all scientists to join GWB2023 on February 14.

Vivek Polshettiwar (India) has been awarded the 2022 IUPAC-CHEMRAWN VII Prize for Green Chemistry in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of green chemistry.

IUPAC has released the 2022 Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry. The goal of this initiative is to showcase the transformative value of chemistry and to inform the general public about the potential of chemical sciences to foster the well-being of Society and the sustainability of our planet. The Jury*—an international panel of scientists with a varied and broad range of expertise—reviewed and discussed the diverse pool of nominations of emerging technologies submitted by researchers from around the globe and selected the final top ten. These technologies are defined as transformative innovations in between a discovery and a fully-commercialized technology, having outstanding potential to open new opportunities in chemistry, sustainability, and beyond.

The IUPAC International Award For Advances In Harmonized Approaches To Crop Protection Chemistry recognizes individuals in government, intergovernmental organizations, academia, and industry who have exercised personal leadership for outstanding regulatory, public policy, and/or educational contributions supporting international harmonization of crop protection chemistry. The award is administered by the IUPAC Advisory Committee on Crop Protection Chemistry, a IUPAC subcommittee of Chemistry and the Environment Division, and is presented on a biennial basis.

The IUPAC-SOLVAY International Award for Young Chemists is intended to encourage outstanding young research scientists at the beginning of their careers. The awards are given for the most outstanding Ph.D. theses in the general area of the chemical sciences, as described in a 1000-word essay. The award is generously sponsored by Solvay.

IUPAC is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the IUPAC 2023 Distinguished Women in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering Awards. The purpose of the awards program, initiated as part of the 2011 International Year of Chemistry celebrations, is to acknowledge and promote the work of women in chemistry/chemical engineering worldwide.

Every two years, IUPAC holds an election for its officers and committee members. About 120 individuals are to be elected or reelected either as Titular Members, Associate Members, or National Representatives. Information concerning the voting process and the role of each kind of member is contained in the Union bylaws (see https://iupac.org/who-we-are/organizational-guidelines/).

IUPAC Holds its First NAO Forum to Foster Internal Communication and Engagement within its Stakeholders