The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) today marked a major milestone in the establishment of its European-based Secretariat with the signing of memoranda of understanding with its host institutions in Rome, Italy, and Malaga, Spain.
IUPAC Officers attended signing ceremonies with the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) in Rome on February 3, and with the City and University of Malaga on February 5, formally launching the next phase of the Secretariat’s transition. The agreements confirm the creation of complementary Secretariat sites in Rome and Malaga and provide the framework for their long-term cooperation with IUPAC.
The decision follows an open international call for proposals and reflects IUPAC’s commitment to aligning its operational arrangements with its global scientific mission. The new European-based Secretariat will strengthen institutional support, expand professional staff capacity, and enhance services for IUPAC’s worldwide volunteer community, which plays a central role in advancing the Union’s work.
Mary Garson, IUPAC President, said:
“The signing of these agreements represents a decisive step forward for IUPAC. Establishing a dual-centre European Secretariat will significantly enhance our capacity to support chemistry worldwide and to serve our members with greater effectiveness and resilience.”
Andrea Lenzi, President of CNR, welcomed the agreement, emphasizing the importance of hosting the Secretariat in Rome:
“The National Research Council of Italy is honored to host the IUPAC Secretariat at its headquarters. Fully mindful of the Union’s prestige and its more than century-long history, CNR will work closely with its sister office in Malaga to strengthen IUPAC’s international standing and its role as a reference point for the global chemical community.”
Francisco de la Torre, Mayor of Malaga, highlighted the broader significance of the agreement for the city:
“Malaga’s selection, together with Rome, to host the European-based Secretariat of IUPAC represents an important milestone for our city. It strengthens our international visibility as a technology-driven hub and reinforces our commitment to scientific innovation in areas closely linked to chemistry.”
The University of Malaga will host the Secretariat within its Rectorate building. Rector Teodomiro López described the agreement as a landmark moment for the institution:
“Hosting the IUPAC European Secretariat at the heart of our university is a historic milestone. It demonstrates that the University of Malaga is not merely observing global scientific progress, but actively contributing to the decisions that shape the future of chemistry.”
He added that the collaboration reflects a shared vision between the city and the university, noting that the offices will serve as more than administrative space: “These facilities will be a true nerve center, where important aspects of the future of global chemistry and its standardization will be shaped.”
Under the agreements, the host institutions will provide office space, seconded staff, and corporate support, enabling IUPAC to enhance communication, coordination, and engagement across all levels of its membership. The dual-site model will be supported by robust governance arrangements and modern digital collaboration tools, ensuring effective coordination between Rome and Malaga.
The relocation of the Secretariat was discussed by the IUPAC Council in July of last year and subsequently endorsed by both the Executive Board and the Science Board. With the signing of these agreements, IUPAC now moves from planning to implementation.
IUPAC expressed its gratitude to all institutions and stakeholders who participated in the open call and supported the process. The Union looks forward to working closely with its hosts in Malaga and Rome as it advances its mission of serving chemistry and society worldwide.
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