IAU General Assembly Postponed, IAU Membership Applications Due

Teresa Lago
IAU General Secretary

The uncertainties associated with health safety and travel restrictions around the world seem far from over, though there is very promising news on COVID-19 vaccines for the coming year. However, it is not yet possible to predict the end of this immense global crisis.Thus, the Officers of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), together with the members of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) in South Korea, have decided to postpone the XXXI General Assembly in Busan to August 2022, specific dates to be determined.

The Business Meetings, including the elections for the next three years provided for in the IAU Bye-Laws, will take place in August 2021 as virtual meetings.

It was a difficult but necessary decision. The IAU Executive Committee will soon decide on the policy to be adopted for the 2021 GA scientific meetings and the IAU symposia for 2022. We will keep you informed.

We would like to share with you our great consideration for our colleagues of the LOC who have courageously dealt with all the unexpected difficulties involved in the already heavy task of organizing a General Assembly. They deserve our respect and admiration.

The 2020 application period for new IAU memberships is open but will close on 15 December 2020. Applications are completed on the IAU website. Following reviews by the US National Committee for the IAU and the IAU Membership and Executive Committees, new Individual and Junior members will be notified of their acceptance in May 2021.

More information about IAU membership qualifications, the application process, and the timeline can be found in IAU announcement ann20035.