The UN's Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (Iupac) will take the lead in planning the event. The chosen year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the International Association of Chemical Societies (IACS), which was succeeded by Iupac a few years later.
'The year will give a global boost to chemical science in which our life and our future are grounded,' says Iupac's president Jung-Il Jin. 'We hope to increase the public appreciation and understanding of chemistry, increase young people's interest in science, and generate enthusiasm for the creative future of chemistry.'
Ethiopia, host nation of the Federation of African Associations of Chemistry (FASC), submitted the resolution calling for the year. Events during 2011 will also aim to draw attention to the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, which is taking place from 2005-2014.Read more