General Assemblies & Administrative Meetings

General Assemblies

The IAU General Assembly (GA) takes place every three years and comprises two five-day sessions spread over two weeks.

This event is a unique opportunity for astronomers worldwide working in all fields of astronomy to come together. In addition to the core administrative meetings, the General Assembly also includes a substantial and attractive scientific programme. This usually comprises two series of three Symposia each lasting for three days, scheduled during the first and second weeks, respectively. Fifteen to twenty more specialized "Focus Meetings" are also held, with up to five topics running in parallel. In addition, two full days are reserved for Division Meetings, with no overlap with the general program.

Here you'll find a list of past General Assemblies: https://www.iau.org/science/meetings/past/general_assemblies/

 

IAU XXX1st General Assembly Business Sessions (virtual format)
23 and 26 August 2021

The XXXI General Assembly had to be postponed to August 2022 as a result of the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. However, the Business Sessions will take place in August 2021 in virtual format on Monday August 23, and Thursday, August 26, at 3 pm CEST.

Agenda for the Business Sessions

IAU XXXI GA 2021 Business Session 1

Monday August 23 2021, 15:00 CEST by Zoom

  1. Welcome, adoption of agenda
  2. Listing of National Member representatives
  3. Reminder of Voting Rules (vote by NMs)
  4. Admission of new National Members (vote by NMs)
  5. Report of the Executive Committee
  6. Presentation of Changes to Statutes, Bye-Laws (Bye-laws II. 7b)
  7. Presentation of Resolutions
  8. Report of the Special Nominating Committee

The National Members, Executive Committee, Division Presidents, Resolution Committee and other speakers will participate by Zoom, and have the opportunity to ask questions directly through Raise Hands.

The Zoom link will be available here closer to the meeting.

Tuesday August 24 at 15:00 CEST by Zoom

Session to discuss the resolutions, discussion also through Slack channel. 


The Zoom and Slack Channel links will be available here closer to the meeting.
 

IAU XXXI GA 2021 Business Session 2

Thursday August 26 2021, 15:00 CEST by Zoom

  1. Welcome, adoption of Agenda
  2. Changes to Bye-Laws (vote by NMs*)
  3. Honorary Members admitted by Executive Committee
  4. Resolutions: recap of discussions (vote by IM*, JM*, open until September 10)
  5. Proposed Division Presidents and Vice Presidents
  6. Financial Matters
    - Presentation of 2018-2020 accounts
    - Report of FC on 2018-2020 accounts
    - Presentation of 2022-2024 budget
    - Report of FC on 2022-2024 budget

Vote on accounts and budget (vote by NMs)

  1. Appointment of Finance Committee (vote by NMs*)
  2. Appointment of Membership Committee (vote by NMs*)
  3. Appointment of Special Nominating Committee (vote by NMs*)
  4. Election of Executive Committee 2021-2024 (vote by NMs)
  5. Brief addresses of retiring and incoming President and GS.

The National Members, Executive Committee, Division Presidents, Resolution Committee, Finance Committee and other speakers will participate by Zoom, and have the opportunity to ask questions directly through Raise Hands.

The Individual and Junior Members and other interested participants can view the Business Sessions through a YouTube LiveStream (and subsequent recording). They have a Slack Channel for comments and questions. The IAU Officers and secretariat will monitor the Slack Channel and communicate relevant questions to the speaker.

The Zoom and Slack Channel links will be available here closer to the meetings.

Note on Votes

Votes marked with * will be conducted electronically among the NMs over a period of several days between the Preparatory meeting and the Business meetings (typically August 19-25 or 23-25). All other votes will be through a Yes/No poll at the meeting on Zoom.

Specifically:

  • Resolutions - open August 26th- September 10th for IMs and JMs voting
  • SNC Members - NMs vote - August 19th - 25th
  • Finance Committee Members - NMs vote - August 19th - 25th
  • Membership Committee Members - NMs vote - August 19th - 25th
  • Changes to Bye-Laws - NMs vote - August 23rd - August 25th

At the Business Meetings:

  • Admission of new NMs (BS1)
  • Accounts and Budget (BS2)
  • Information on the admission of recently accepted IMs/JMs
  • Information on the Resolution Committee approved by EC
  • Information on the Honorary Members approved by EC.

IAU XXX1st General Assembly 
Busan (Republic of Korea), 16-27 August 2021 - POSTPONED TO AUGUST 2022

http://www.iauga2021.org/

IAU XXXth General Assembly 
Vienna (Austria), 20 - 31 August 2018

http://astronomy2018.univie.ac.at/