THE IUGG
The International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) is the international organization dedicated to advancing, promoting, and communicating knowledge of the Earth system, its space environment, and the dynamical processes causing change.
Through its constituent Associations, Commissions, and services, IUGG convenes international assemblies and workshops, undertakes research, assembles observations, gains insights, coordinates activities, liaises with other scientific bodies, plays an advocacy role, contributes to education, and works to expand capabilities and participation worldwide.
Associations of the IUGG
IUGG is comprised of eight semi-autonomous Associations, each responsible for a specific range of topics or themes within the overall scope of Union activities.
In addition, IUGG establishes inter-Association Commissions, and relationships with several other scientific bodies with similar interests. These eight International Associations are:
Our Mission
IUGG is dedicated to the international promotion and coordination of scientific studies of Earth (physical, chemical, and mathematical) and its environment in space.
These studies include the shape of the Earth, its gravitational and magnetic fields, the dynamics of the Earth as a whole and of its component parts, the Earth’s internal structure, composition and tectonics, earthquakes and elastic wave propagation, the generation of magmas, volcanism and rock formation, the hydrological cycle including snow and ice, all aspects of the oceans, the atmosphere, ionosphere, magnetosphere and solar-terrestrial relations, and analogous problems associated with the Moon and other planets.
IUGG encourages the application of this knowledge to societal needs, such as mineral resources, mitigation of natural hazards and environmental preservation. Read more
Scientific Meetings
Each National Committee for Geodesy and Geophysics, which functions as a non-governmental entity in its relations with IUGG, is represented at General Assemblies of the Union by Delegates appointed by its Adhering Body.
During these assemblies, policies governing the Union are agreed on, research programmes requiring international participation are formulated and coordinated and plans are drawn for their execution.
The scientific results of programmes in progress are discussed at the numerous Scientific Symposia, Commission and Working Group meetings and other gatherings of scientists that are held during these assemblies. General Assemblies have been held since 1922 and, since 1963, at 4 years intervals.
The last General Assembly was held in Berlin, Germany in 2023. The next General Assembly will be held in Incheon (South Korea) 2027.
