Chemistry International
Vol. 21, No. 1
January 1999
News
and Notices from Other Societies and Unions
XXIII Latin American Chemical Congress
Rio Grande, Puerto Rico,
26-30 July 1998
The XXIII Latin American Chemical Congress was organized
by the Federación Latinoamericana de Asociaciones Química
(FLAQ) and the Colegio de Químicos de Puerto Rico. There were
more than 800 participants at the Congress which featured 9 plenary
sessions, 4 symposia, 72 mini-courses for continuing education in all
areas of chemistry, and 12 sessions covering biochemistry, inorganic
chemistry, agricultural chemistry, organic chemistry, chemical education,
analytical chemistry, natural products, environmental chemistry, organic
synthesis, medicinal chemistry, and physical chemistry. Contributors
came from 16 countries: Argentina (4), Brazil (9), Bolivia (3), Canada
(3), Chile (39), Colombia (39), Cuba (20), Spain (3), United States
(13), México (90), Panamá (4), Puerto Rico (43), Dominican
Republic (1), Uruguay (1), Venezuela (6).
Special guests included Dr. Paul Walters, President of
the American Chemical Society, Prof.
Ernest Eliel, PastPresident of the ACS, Dr.
John Malin, Director of International Activities of the ACS, Dr.
Edwin Becker, Secretary General of IUPAC, and Dr. John Jost, Executive
Director of IUPAC. In addition, delegates from the chemical societies
of Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Chile, México, Panamá, Perú,
Puerto Rico, República Dominicana, and Venezuela attended.
The plenary speakers included Nobel Laureates Dr. Roald
Hoffman (USA) and Dr. Mario Molina (USA) as well as Dr. Mario Suwalsky
(Chile), Dr. Nelson Duran (Brazil), Dr. Ernest Eliel (USA), Dr. Pedro
Joseph Nathan (México), Dr. Héctor Abruña (USA),
Dr. Antonio Monge (Spain) and Dr. Roger Bybee (USA).
At the meeting of FLAQ delegates, Dr. Gabriel Infante
was elected President and Lic. Madeline Pardo was elected Secretary
General for the period 1999-2000 (both of Puerto Rico). The Secretary
and Treasurer of FLAQ continue to be Dr. Juan de Dios Guevara and Dr.
Leonidas Unzueta respectively (both of Perú).
The XXIV Congress will be held in Perú in 2000.