2024 Division and Standing Committee Reports
This page presents reports submitted by IUPAC Division Presidents and Standing Committee Chairs for the 2024 reporting cycle. The information has been collected through a standardized reporting form designed to capture progress, challenges, and future plans across the Union’s scientific and strategic activities.
Each report reflects the unique contributions of its respective division or committee toward advancing IUPAC’s mission—fostering sustainable development, promoting chemical sciences, encouraging international collaboration, and upholding rigorous standards in nomenclature, education, and practice. These updates highlight the remarkable diversity and impact of IUPAC’s global volunteer network, encompassing ongoing and completed projects, strategic partnerships, outreach efforts, and administrative developments.
Key themes across these reports include:
- Advancements in sustainable and green chemistry,
- Promoting safety and entrepreneurship in chemistry,
- Enhancing chemical education and interdisciplinary collaboration,
- Upholding IUPAC’s standards and guidelines for scientific publication and terminology,
- Strategic engagement in global initiatives such as the UN SDGs, GFC, and SPP.
Together, these reports provide valuable insight into the dynamic and evolving landscape of chemical sciences under the IUPAC umbrella and inform future planning and decision-making by the Science Board and broader IUPAC community.
Summaries and full reports
Committee on Chemistry Education (CCE)
Marietjie Potgieter <marietjie.potgieter@up.ac.za>
The past two years were characterised by high productivity in the CCE on several fronts – project work to advance chemistry education for sustainability, promotion of best practices in chemistry education through conferences and the journal, CTI, outreach to support chemistry education in emerging contexts and improvement of internal operations and administration. CCE activities during 2023 and 2024 are well aligned with IUPAC’s Mission and Core Values and the priorities of the Science Board. A new portfolio for External Relations was created to develop engagement with professional bodies to facilitate best practice in chemistry education. High-impact project work is ongoing to align chemistry education with sustainability imperatives, but the pipeline for new projects has declined significantly due to budget constraints. During the past three years, CCE partnered with four divisions (Divs II, III, IV and VI) and four committees (COCI, ICGCSD, CHEMRAWN and CEDEI), but there is scope for wider collaboration. The journal Chemistry Teacher International achieved impact factors 2.2 (Clarivate) and 3.2 (Scopus), which positions it as a Q2 journal. A special issue on Teaching Ethics and Core Values in Chemistry Education is in print.
FULL REPORT PDF, submitted 1/5/2025 12:43 AM
Committee on Chemistry and Industry (COCI)
Anna Makarova <annmakarova@mail.ru>
COCI, within SAICM and now GFC (Global Framework on Chemicals) and SPP (Science Policy Panel), is conducting a multidisciplinary project. IUPAC will participate in GFC and SPP meetings subject to availability of funds.
The Safety Training Program (STP) continues to provide environmental, health, safety, and security training to scientists from developing countries. During 2024, four projects have been executed: STP eLearning, STP-Asia, STP-Africa, and STP-LA. The activities included courses, workshops, and seminars. More than 531 participants from 26 countries attended the activities. The STP also served to get new nations affiliated with IUPAC.
The COCI reinforces the interaction with chemistry organizations (e.g. OPCW), industry (e.g. ASQUR – Uruguayan Association of Chemical Industries), academia, and other relevant bodies (e.g., IYCN) to facilitate safety practices in COCI work in field of Chemistry Entrepreneurship. The objective of this is to create awareness about “Chemistry Entrepreneurship” and motivate chemistry students to become entrepreneurs.
COCI take part in project “Systems Thinking in Chemistry for Sustainability: 2030 and Beyond AND Systems Thinking and Sustainability”
FULL REPORT PDF, submitted 2/9/2025 9:10 AM
Committee on Chemical Research Applied to World Needs (CHEMRAWN)
Francesca Kerton <fkerton@mun.ca>
This committee brings chemistry into action in civil society in a way that benefits people and their quality of life. Activities in 2023-present include webinars (three scheduled in Jan-Feb, 2025; one of these is led by COCI), a special issue of Chemistry Teacher International, conference symposia, and contributions to a special issue of Pure and Applied Chemistry as part of the Global Conversation on Sustainability [GCS-Day]. All committee activities were aimed at fulfilling IUPAC’s mission and strategic plan through pursuit of the application of chemistry in the service of humankind and the world. We have developed a strong relationship externally with the educational foundation Beyond Benign and look to further build bridges with external organizations e.g. IOCD, and within IUPAC. We have continued to work with IYCN and IUPAC representatives in project 2021-034-2-041, GCS-Day. This was first held in 2022 and took place for the 3rd time in 2024 as it is an annual event. We organized a webinar in Oct 2024 on Sustainable Lab Practices, as a tie-in event. GCS-Day is an excellent opportunity to build relationships with scientists around the world, and we encourage all NAOs to get involved.
FULL REPORT PDF, submitted 1/9/2025 1:53 PM
Interdivisional Committee on Green Chemistry for Sustainable Development (ICGCSD)
Buxing Han <hanbx@iccas.ac.cn>
The ICGCSD promotes green/sustainable chemistry through committee projects as well as member participation in inter-divisional projects. A recent project assessment of 20 years of IUPAC projects verified IUPACs leadership in affirming chemistry’s role in achieving the SDGs. As a result, the new IUPAC project submission form connects proposal objectives to specific SDGs. A technical report on harmonizing green metrics analyses in syntheses was drafted and will be finalized in 2025.
The ICGCSD continued its tradition of endorsing the Green Chemistry Post Graduate Summer school. The 16th edition promoted green chemistry to 70 students from 22 countries. Diversity and inclusion, particularly for developing countries, was prioritized.
The 10th IUPAC International Conference on Green Chemistry (ICGC) was held in Beijing, China, October 2024, co-organized by ICGCSD chair, Professor Buxing Han. More than 1000 participants from 56 countries attended. Fifteen ICGCSD committee members attended.
The PhosAgro/UNESCO/IUPAC awards were managed by the committee and presented at the ICGC in Beijing. The IUPAC-Zhejiang/NHU awardees were selected by the committee to be honored at the 2025 World Congress.
FULL REPORT PDF, submitted 1/6/2025 6:07 PM
Committee on Ethics, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Mark Cesa <markcesa@comcast.net>
The work of CEDEI relates most directly to upholding the Core Values of IUPAC in its Strategic Plan, as well as its mission to advocate for the free exchange of scientific information. Highlights of CEDEI’s activities during 2024 include: (1) broadening the membership of CEDEI to include Associate Members and Division/Standing Committee Representatives (Council approval needed), (2) amendments to the Harassment Policy Statement to include a process for dealing with incidents (Executive Board and Council approval needed), (3) progress on the Guiding Principles Project, 2022-034-3-060, (4) partner projects on the gender gap in chemistry, (4) selection of awardees for the IUPAC Award for Distinguished Women in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and (5) representing IUPAC on the Standing Committee for Gender Equality in Science and a new ISC project on Gender Equality in Scientific Organizations.
FULL REPORT PDF, submitted 1/5/2025 7:59 PM
Interdivisional Committee on Terminology, Nomenclature and Symbols (ICTNS)
Jürgen Stohner <sthj@zhaw.ch>
ICTNS is responsible for editing and approving the content of IUPAC Recommendations and Technical Reports for publication in Pure and Applied Chemistry, for approving publication of IUPAC reports in journals other than PAC, for reviewing IUPAC-sponsored books for adherence to IUPAC standards of Terminology, Nomenclature, Symbols and Units, and also for approving, on behalf of IUPAC, publications emanating from international bodies on which IUPAC has representation.
ICTNS carries out these tasks by very extensive review processes. For IUPAC Recommendations, a Public Comment Period of about five months is required, with input from members of ICTNS within three months. Both Recommendations and Technical Reports are carefully scrutinized for conformity with IUPAC-approved Terminology, Nomenclature, Symbols and Units, and are also edited carefully for scientific content.
The overall goal from these activities is to continue to enhance the reputation of IUPAC as a source of internationals standards in chemical terminology and nomenclature through publication of PAC.
Statistics of our reviewing is presented in the Full Report, which deviates understandably from standard layout.
FULL REPORT PDF, submitted 2/5/2025 11:34 AM
Project Committee
Russell Boyd <Russell.Boyd@Dal.Ca>
This summary covers the financial activity of the PC for the biennium 2022-2023, and the year 2024. It also includes the updates guidelines summarizing the “Funding opportunities and guidelines”.
FULL REPORT PDF, submitted 1/8/2025 1:25 AM
Div I. Physical and Biophysical Chemistry Division
Frances Separovic <fs@unimelb.edu.au>
The total budget for Divisional projects for 2024-25 was 8,876.00 USD with 2,000 USD are allocated for operations. Three new projects were started in 2024 with $7k from Division I and additional funding of $7k supplied by Div II, III, VII & VIII. Most projects are on track with four completed in 2024 and four scheduled to end 31 Dec 2024, for which extensions may be applied.
Division I met online on 19 March, 23 July, and 5 November 2024, and next meeting is planned for March 2025 to prepare for the General Assembly. Attendance has been excellent, with overall > 90% participation. Activities during the year related to project up-dates and approvals, election procedures for the 2026-27 election of officers, as well as planning for IUPAC 2025.
The Division has also given its support to the endorsement of several conferences.
FULL REPORT PDF, submitted 1/6/2025 3:51 AM
Div III. Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry
Einar Uggerud <einar.uggerud@kjemi.uio.no>
Division III Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry covers a substantial part of chemistry. This is reflected by the wide range of topics in our project portfolio and the fact that a large fraction of our activities is facilitated through our 5 sub-committees. In addition, we are involved in interdivisional projects and activities. For the next biennium we will concentrate our efforts on three specific topics in addition to our traditional core activities.
FULL REPORT PDF, submitted 1/6/2025 2:43 AM
Div IV. Polymer
Igor Lacik <igor.lacik@savba.sk>
Polymer division IUPAC consists of approximately 100 volunteers, bringing to IUPAC a unique expertise in polymer science and in scientific (multidisciplinary) fields, in which the polymer science plays central role.
The strength of our division is:
- in interest to dedicated work on activities being in line with the IUPAC priorities
- diversity in expertise in polymer science, involving chemical synthesis, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, biomaterials, and others, spanning to multidisciplinary fields and global challenges such as health, sustainability, energy, digitalization etc., also with strong emphasis on education
- open, informal, and frequent communication of the division committee with its subcommittees, and within the subcommittees (virtually and in-person)
In 2024, the activities carried out by 4 subcommittees resulted in numerous outcomes, which are needed by the international polymer community. These activities are summarized in this report.
FULL REPORT PDF, submitted 2/21/2025 3:30 AM
Div V. Analytical Chemistry
Derek Craston <derekcraston@gmail.com>
Division V continues to contribute to IUPAC outputs by activities delivered through the project system, often in collaboration with other Divisions. In 2024, 4 projects were completed and 30 remain on-going, covering critical data evaluation, terminology, metrology, guidance, education and Green Chemistry. As such, the Division’s work is fully aligned with IUPAC’s Vision, including the drive for the adoption of FAIR principles. Four papers were published in 2014, and while only one new project was approved, at least three are in planning.
The Division benefits from an active and diverse Committee (60% female) that supports its’ work through sub-committees and subgroups. As part of its outreach and the promotion of its disciplines, the biannual awards (Analytical Chemistry Medal, Young Innovator and Balarew Awards and Franzosini prize) are an important part of on-going work.
Division V looks forward to working with the Science Board to deliver its’ Strategy and organizational reforms. In the meantime, project work will continue with the key objective that FAIR principles are imbedded in future proposals and outputs. The Division will continue to engage in consultation and to encourage participation of emerging professionals.
FULL REPORT PDF, submitted 1/6/2025 11:18 AM
Div VII. Chemistry and Human Health
Vladimir Gubala <vgubala@gmail.com>
During the 2024/2025 biennium, Division VII achieved several milestones, including endorsement of two new projects, organization of multiple meetings and effective budget management. Key accomplishments include the completion of two projects in 2024, substantial progress in ongoing projects, and initiation of new interdivisional collaborations. Notable projects include the creation of standardized vocabulary for photodynamic medicine and the development of a global Weight of Evidence framework for crop protection chemicals. Division VII published six papers and organized a drug discovery course in Bangalore, co-sponsored by ACS, attracting nearly 100 participants. Priorities for 2025 include completing dormant projects, showcasing successful projects, supporting new interdivisional initiatives, integrating new members, and increasing project impact through broader dissemination. Efforts also focus on global cooperation, best practices in chemistry education, sustainable development, and promoting diversity and inclusiveness in science.
FULL REPORT PDF, submitted 3/11/2025 8:01 AM
/last updated 7 April/