June 5, 2000
At the IAU, all sails are now set for the big event of our three-year cycle, the XXIVth General Assembly in Manchester in August. Preparations are being finalised to make sure that all participants will have a scientifically and socially memorable experience. Among this year's special attractions, we look forward to welcome four new Associate Member countries and many hundred new Individual Members.
Up-to-date information on the rich programme of scientific events at the General Assembly, each lasting from one to four days, and the numerous Division, Commission, and Working Group meetings is provided at the Summary page at this site, and through the latest Information Bulletins. The Special GA Web Site also offers on-line registration and a wealth of practical information. Looking forward to see you in Manchester!
For the time after the General Assembly, the list of Other IAU Meetings will keep you informed of upcoming attractions.
Even as the work of preparing the General Assembly is reaching its peak, it is also a time for your present General Secretary to wind down the other tasks of the triennium: The Travel Grants have all been distributed; my last Information Bulletin is finished, the Reports on Astronomy 1996-1999 have appeared in print, and the succession for the next triennium is being prepared throughout the Union. In preparing my "retirement", I thank all collaborators in the IAU, above all the Secretariat staff, Monique Léger-Orine and Jodi Greenberg for their tremendous efforts, always cheerfully done, and my colleagues on the Executive Committee for their support. But I also wish to thank all those visitors to this web site whose interesting, challenging, helpful, and occasionally perplexing questions and comments have made sure that a dull moment was never any serious risk!
Best regards and all good wishes to all members and friends of the IAU,
Johannes Andersen
IAU General Secretary