2019 is proclaimed the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements
The Periodic Table of Chemical Elements is more than a catalogue of the entire known atoms in the universe; it is essentially a window on the universe. Next year will mark the 150th anniversary of its creation by Russian scientist Dmitry Ivanovich Mendeleev.
It is a unique tool, giving scientists the opportunity to predict the appearance and properties of elements on Earth and in the universe as a whole
"The periodic table of chemical elements is one of the most important and influential achievements in modern science reflecting the essence not only of chemistry, but also of physics, biology and other disciplines. It is a unique tool, giving scientists the opportunity to predict the appearance and properties of elements on Earth and in the universe as a whole," said Jean-Paul Ngome-Abiaga, coordinator for the celebration of the Year at UNESCO.
Further proof of the periodic table's continuing relevance to science will be a tribute during the Year of the recently completed advanced discoveries of four super heavy elements of the Periodic Table of Mendeleev with atomic numbers 113 (Nihonium), 115 (Moskovi), 117 (Tennesin) and 118 (Oganesson), which were only possible through international scientific cooperation.
The International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements is an extension of the International Year of Chemistry in 2011 and the International Year of Crystallography in 2014. This year also provides an opportunity for UNESCO to promote the basic sciences for sustainable development, including through UNESCO's International Basic Sciences Programme (IBSP).
This year also provides an opportunity for UNESCO to promote the basic sciences for sustainable development
On 20 December 2017 the UN General Assembly proclaimed 2019 the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements.
More than 150 leading scientific centers around the world supported the idea of proclaiming the Year, including the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), the International Union of Theoretical and Applied Physics, the European Association for Chemical and Molecular Sciences, the International Council for Science (ICSU), the International Astronomical Union, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), and the International Union of History and Philosophy of Science and Technology. UNESCO-IBSP and IUPAC will coordinate the International Year in cooperation with national, regional and international chemical societies and unions.
