A ceremony was held yesterday 29 July 2019 at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG). The IAU, represented by General Secretary Teresa Lago, received a commemorative plaque in recognition of its status as a partner organisation of the IUGG.

Established in 1919, the IUGG’s mission is the international promotion and coordination of the scientific studies of the Earth and its environment in space. It is closely linked with several partner organisations, including the IAU, whose mission overlaps with IUGG's. Commemorative plaques were presented to these organisations by Kathy Whaler, IUGG President, and Chris Rizos, IUGG President-Elect, during yesterday’s ceremony. The eight Founding Members of the IUGG were also presented with commemorative plaques. H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco was present for the award ceremony, himself receiving an IUGG Honorary Membership.

The programme of the day included several talks on a range of topics relating to the Earth, not only from a scientific perspective, but also in the context of social and political issues, reflecting the far-reaching and universally-relevant focus of the IUGG. The occasion was a thought-provoking opportunity to once again reflect on the Earth as an astronomical object, and its fragility as one planet of billions in the Universe, while simultaneously recognising it as a resource upon which we all depend, and whose health is inextricably linked with that of humanity.

More information

The IAU is the international astronomical organisation that brings together more than 13 500 professional astronomers from more than 100 countries worldwide. Its mission is to promote and safeguard astronomy in all its aspects, including research, communication, education and development, through international cooperation. The IAU also serves as the internationally recognised authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and the surface features on them. Founded in 1919, the IAU is the world's largest professional body for astronomers.

Links

• Press release from UNESCO

Contacts

Lars Lindberg Christensen
IAU Press Officer
Garching bei München, Germany
Tel: +49 89 320 06 761
Cell: +49 173 38 72 621
Email: lars@eso.org