3rd Commonwealth Chemistry Congress

Commonwealth Chemistry, the Federation of Commonwealth Chemical Sciences Societies, is delighted to announce that the third Commonwealth Chemistry Congress (CCC2025) will take place at the Protea by Marriott Hotel Stellenbosch, South Africa, 11-14 May 2025.

The Commonwealth is a uniquely diverse group of nations with shared values and a powerful voice. It represents all corners of the globe with a population of 2.5 billion and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. It is home to 12% of the world’s researchers and accounts for around 10% of global research and development expenditure. With 1 in 3 people aged between 15 and 29 living in Commonwealth countries, the Commonwealth is set to play an ever more important role in the world’s future – a future that will present many challenges where science can identify solutions.

Bringing together chemists from across the Commonwealth under the banner of equality for all, the Commonwealth Chemistry Congress will promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), strengthen scientific capacity, inspire and elevate the role of the chemical sciences to society and policy makers, and celebrate achievements in chemistry. Representatives from chemical societies across the Commonwealth will join high level stakeholders from academia, industry and government in South Africa.

The Congress will have a strong focus on early career chemists across the Commonwealth, with the aim of furthering their career development, enabling joint research and education activities, and providing networking opportunities to share research outputs.

All participants will be expected to abide by the Commonwealth Chemistry Code of Conduct.

Registration and Participation

To ensure equal representation, inclusivity, and participation among all Commonwealth nations, over 30 Commonwealth countries (either through a society member or associate member of Commonwealth Chemistry) are being asked to nominate representatives and early career chemists to attend. These specially selected delegates will join our invited speakers and panellists for a programme designed to maximise conversation and networking opportunities, fostering meaningful new international alliances and thus building partnerships for the future.

If you would like to support or attend the Congress then download our sponsorship prospectus available below and please do to contact the Commonwealth Chemistry Secretariat with any questions.

3rd CCC Sponsorship Prospectus (ZAR)

PROGRAMME

The 3rd Commonwealth Chemistry Congress will offer a unique programme to engage with a Commonwealth network from across the breadth of the chemical sciences. In addition to career development and networking opportunities for early career chemists, the programme includes scientific sessions featuring eminent researchers in the following themes:

Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3)
Topics include biodiversity, natural products, food chemistry and security, agriculture, medicinal chemistry, drug discovery, and good health and well-being

Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)
Topics include sustainable energy solutions, new materials, biofuels, green chemistry, and catalysis

Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Climate Action (SDG 13)
Topics include water treatment and supply, tackling pollution and contamination, and environmental chemistry

The programme will also bring together high profile researchers, policymakers, and industrialists who can demonstrate the value and role of Commonwealth chemists in three panel discussions:

Transformation of the Commonwealth Chemical Industry (SDG 9)
Perspectives on the changing global landscape and challenges faced by chemical industry

Gender Equality (SDG 5) and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10)
Identifying, sharing and providing an understanding of the issues and barriers to equality and diversity in the chemical sciences

Machine Learning and AI in the Chemical Sciences
Raising awareness for how ML & AI are revolutionising the chemical sciences and addressing all UN SDGs

Additionally, the programme will feature a session especially for early career chemists which is being coordinated by the Commonwealth Chemistry Early Career Network (ECN).

speakerS AND PANELLISTs

The Congress will feature an inclusive and diverse group of eminent speakers and panellists from across the Commonwealth.

Professor Dame Margaret Brimble, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
Professor Anshu Bhardwaj, Institute of Microbial Technology CSIR, India
Professor Lawrence Sheringham Borquaye, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
Professor Kelly Chibale, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Professor Patricia Forbes, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Professor Saiful Islam, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
Professor Francesca Kerton, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
Professor Justus Kwetegyeka, Kyambogo University, Uganda
Professor Lee Hwei Voon, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia
Professor Hyleen Mariaye, Mauritius Institute of Education, Mauritius
Dr Theo Mudzunga, Sasol, South Africa
Ms Preshanthie Naicker, Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, South Africa
Professor Vivek Polshettiwar, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), India
Dr Sandip Patil, E-Spin Nanotech Pvt Ltd, India
Professor Abdus Salam, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Professor Veikko Uahengo, University of Namibia, Namibia
Professor Richard Webster, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Professor Karen Wilson, Griffith University, Australia
Professor Mark Wuddivira, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago

Further speakers and panellists coming soon…

Information for delegates

Early career chemists from over 30 Commonwealth countries will be selected to attend and present their research at CCC2025. Each country will also nominate senior representatives to attend the Congress and join the third Annual General Meeting of Commonwealth Chemistry on Wednesday 14 May.

Commonwealth Chemistry is grateful to the Chemists’ Community Fund, the benevolent fund of the Royal Society of Chemistry, for funding for early career researchers to attend the meeting.

Further information about travel, visa support and accommodation will be provided soon.