Welcome from the Scientific Organising Committee
This is a moment of pride and optimism, as we welcome you to South Africa for the third Commonwealth Chemistry Congress. Bringing together chemists from across the Commonwealth under the banner of equality for all, this congress will promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), strengthen scientific capacity, inspire and elevate the role of the chemical sciences to society and policy makers, and celebrate achievements in chemistry. Representatives from chemical societies across the Commonwealth will join high level stakeholders from academia, industry, and government in South Africa. The Commonwealth is a uniquely diverse group of nations with shared values and a powerful voice. It represents all corners of the globe with a population of 2.5 billion and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. It is home to 12% of the world’s researchers and accounts for around 10% of global research and development expenditure. The unique opportunities for collaboration offered by the Commonwealth include the sharing of common values by bringing together developed and developing regions and creating inclusive gatherings at which no one country or group of countries dominate the proceedings. Our Commonwealth Chemistry colleagues recognise the value in bringing chemistry societies together, focusing on areas of commonality and collaboration, to champion chemistry and highlight the key role that it plays in solving the global challenges all of our nations face. A vitally important area identified in establishing this federation was to nurture the next generation of talent. With 1 in 3 people aged between 15 and 29 living in Commonwealth countries, the Commonwealth is set to play an ever more important role in the world’s future – a future that will present many challenges where science can identify solutions. All Commonwealth Chemistry activities have a strong emphasis on supporting early career researchers. This Congress was designed to give maximum opportunities to Commonwealth researchers in the early stages of their career, provide networking and development opportunities, acting as a springboard for their career development, enabling joint research and education activities, with opportunities to share research outputs. To ensure equal representation, inclusivity, and participation among all Commonwealth nations at this Congress, over 30 Commonwealth countries (either through a society member, associate member or country representative of Commonwealth Chemistry) have nominated representatives and early career chemists to attend. These specially selected delegates join our invited speakers and panellists for a programme designed to maximise conversation and networking opportunities, fostering meaningful new international alliances and building partnerships for the future.
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