Executive Summary

The Australian Academy of Science (AAS) requests that IUPAC grants the AAS the honour to host the 49th General Assembly and the 46th Chemistry Congress in Melbourne in 2017 as a major part of the centenary celebrations of the RACI. The proposal is based on a number of innovative ideas and could be termed a “festival of world chemistry”.

The World Class Program

The IUPAC General Assembly and Congress are seen as the highlight of the RACI centenary celebrations and will provide the focus for the RACI’s Centenary Congress. Together, these events will be worldwide celebrations and authoritative forums that encompass all branches of the chemical sciences.

It is proposed to conduct the IUPAC General Assembly, IUPAC Congress and RACI Centenary Congress in parallel. The goal is to have at least eight plenary speakers of Noble Laureate standing. The entire logistic organisation will be carried out by the Centenary Congress Planning Committee. The chosen venue (Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre) will easily accommodate the technical programs and the General Assembly running side-by-side.

Delegate Numbers

By combining the IUPAC General Assembly and Congress with the RACI Centenary Congress, the plan is to attract approximately 6,000 delegates, in total.

Industry Involvement

As well as encouraging Chemists, Chemical Scientists and Chemical Engineers from Industry to attend and present at the Congress, the RACI is talking to a number of exhibition organisers specialising in different spheres of chemistry. The concept for the Exhibition is to have a vibrant, varied and appealing event covering the whole spectrum of the chemical supply industry that could be a standalone event in its own right but would be an integral part of the Congress with split lunches and tea breaks between the various conference streams ensuring a constant flow of delegates.

Encouraging Delegates from Developing Countries and Early Career Scientists

A cheaper delegate fee will be available for young scientists as well as a cost effective accommodation inclusive package utilising the student accommodation available in Melbourne. For those delegates from lesser developed areas of the world there will be a number of competitive travel grants available. Besides poster sessions there will also be fast turnaround 5-minute lecture time opportunities for the young scientists to showcase their work.

Financial Cost

There will be a one fee covers all approach where the delegate fee will include access to all streams, the exhibition, poster sessions, social events, tram tickets, airport connections, refreshments and lunches over the five day Congress. The early bird Congress registration cost will be AUD$800 including all local taxes.