The Federation of Asian Chemical Societies: Forty years on

In the 1970s UNESCO and many national aid agencies understood the important role that the application of chemistry had in developing the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of nations. UNESCO also understood the vital role that professional societies play in fostering chemical capability and helped organise the formation of the Federation of Asian Chemical Societies (FACS). In 1980 our region contributed only 19% of world chemistry papers. The task of the FACS was, through networks, working groups and collaboration, to foster the development of chemistry in the region. This was highly successful. In 2018 our region contributed nearly 60% of all the world’s chemistry papers. We are the epicentre of world chemistry. However, chemical capability is still low in many of our member countries. The FACS now has two tasks. Catering for the high performing chemists in the region while still fostering the development of chemistry in those countries still developing.