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2022 Chemistry International  
Bonding the Chemistry Community by Javier García-Martínez N one could have imagined what history had in store for all of us when, just a couple of years ago, we were celebrating our Centenary and planning for the future of IUPAC. These past months, marked by a pandemic, have shown how fragile and interdependent we are. We have also learned the key role of science in understanding, tackling, and solving our most pressing challenges. Chemistry, in particular, is playing a central role in the
more » ... against the coronavirus, from the production of disinfectants to the nanoparticles that carry the mRNA in the COVID-19 vaccines. However, this is not the last global challenge we will have to face and chemistry will continue to be essential in our fight against illness, hunger, and poverty. Like so many other organizations, IUPAC too has had to adapt to a difficult time, when self-care and care for the people around us have been the top priority. A time in which we have had to learn on the fly how to work from home, adapt to new technologies, and be in countless virtual meetings while trying to balance our personal and professional life. Because of this, I would like to start this Column by acknowledging and thanking the excellent job that our staff has done to quickly adapt and to facilitate the work of all our volunteers. Our Secretariat has been above and beyond the call of duty, working tirelessly and with great efficiency to ensure that our organization not only carried on with its normal scientific activity but also held its first-ever virtual General Assembly, conducted a major review of its organizational structure, and significantly grew its online activities including the Global Women Breakfast, the Periodic Table Challenge, The Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry, and ChemVoices. I have no words that can thank our team enough for making all this possible. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our past President, Chris Brett for leading during these difficult two years, our former Treasurer Colin Humphris, our Division Presidents, Committee Chairs, Titular and Associate Members, Affiliates, Task Force Members, partners, and all our volunteers for
doi:10.1515/ci-2022-0100 fatcat:qhknmobsofe23ncf4ae2rxxd7m