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.

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 Saiful Islam, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
  • Professor Francesca Kerton, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
  • Professor Justus Kwetegyeka, Kyambogo University, Uganda
  • Professor Hyleen Mariaye, Mauritius Institute of Education, Mauritius
  • Professor Vivek Polshettiwar, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), India
  • Dr Sandip Patil, E-Spin Nanotech Pvt Ltd, India
  • Professor Veikko Uahengo, University of Namibia, Namibia
  • 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.

SCIENTIFIC ORGANISING COmmittee

Illustration of British flag

Sir Richard Catlow (Chair)

United Kingdom

Illustration of Kenyan flag

Charles Midega

Kenya

Illustration of Jamaican flag

Marvadeen Singh-Wilmot

Jamaica

Illustration of Ghana flag

James Darkwa

Ghana

Illustration of Ugandan flag

Grace Birungi

Uganda

Illustration of Sri Lanka flag

Ireshika De Silva

Sri Lanka

Illustration of Bangladesh flag

MD. Iqbal Rouf Mamun

Bangladesh

Illustration of Nigeria flag

Rufus Sha’Ato

Nigeria

Illustration of Mauritius flag

Lydia Rhyman

Mauritius

Illustration of Australian flag

Karen Wilson

Australia

Illustration of Indian flag

Sandeep Verma

India

Illustration of Canadian flag

Cora Young

Canada

Commonwealth Chemistry logo

Andrew Shore

Commonwealth Chemistry

Commonwealth Chemistry logo

Bianca Provost

Commonwealth Chemistry

Sponsorship & supporting organisations

Sponsors

Logo of the RSC Chemists' Community Fund, benevolent fund for the Royal Society of Chemistry
Royal Society of Chemistry
Chemists’ Community Fund

Supporting organisations

Bangladesh Chemical Society logo
Bangladesh Chemical Society
Cameroon Society of Chemistry logo
Cameroon Society of Chemistry
Canadian Society for Chemistry logo

Canadian Society for Chemistry
Caribbean Academy of Sciences, Jamaica Logo
Caribbean Academy of Sciences Jamaica Chemistry Division
Chemical Society of Botswana logo

Chemical Society of Botswana
Chemical Society of Lesotho logo
Chemical Society of Lesotho
Chemical Society of Nigeria logo
Chemical Society of Nigeria
Logo for the Chemical Society of The Gambia
Chemical Society of The Gambia
Chemical Society of the South Pacific logo
Chemical Society of the South Pacific
Ghana Chemical Society logo
Ghana Chemical Society
Logo for the Indian Chemical Society
Indian Chemical Society
Institut Kimia Malaysia logo
Institut Kimia Malaysia
Institute of Chemistry Ceylon
Kenya Chemical Society logo

Kenya Chemical Society
New Zealand Institute of Chemistry logo
New Zealand Institute of Chemistry
Pancyprian Union of Chemists logo
Pancyprian Union of Chemists
Royal Australian Chemical Institute logo
Royal Australian Chemical Institute
Royal Society of Chemistry logo
Royal Society of Chemistry
Rwanda Chemical Society logo
Rwanda Chemical Society
Singapore National Institute of Chemistry logo
Singapore National Institute of Chemistry
South African Chemical Institute logo
South African Chemical Institute
Tanzania Chemical Society logo
Tanzania Chemical Society
Chemical Research Society of India logo
The Chemical Research Society of India
The Chemical Society of Pakistan logo
The Chemical Society of Pakistan
The Institute of Chemists Papua New Guinea logo
The Institute of Chemists, Papua New Guinea
Trinidad and Tobago Chemical Society

ORGANISED BY

Commonwealth Chemistry logo

CONTACT INFORMATION

Commonwealth Chemistry Secretariat
Royal Society of Chemistry
Thomas Graham House,
Science Park,
Milton Road,
Cambridge,
CB4 0WF
UK