General Assembly

The General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr). It brings together delegates representing the Union’s Adhering Bodies to determine the IUCr’s policies, priorities and governance.

The General Assembly normally meets every three years alongside the IUCr Congress. It receives reports on the Union’s activities and finances, elects the IUCr’s officers and Executive Committee, considers changes to the Statutes and By-Laws, and makes decisions affecting the future of the Union.

The most recent General Assembly, the twenty seventh, was held in Calgary Canada, 11-18 August 2026.

Proceedings of the General Assembly will follow.

What does the General Assembly do?

The General Assembly:

- elects the President, Vice-President, General Secretary and Treasurer, and ordinary members of the Executive Committee;
- considers and approves reports from the Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Commissions, Regional Associates and other IUCr bodies;
- approves changes to the Statutes and By-Laws;
- considers membership matters and the representation of Adhering Bodies; considers chairs and members of Commissions
- establishes or discontinues Commissions and other bodies where required;
- determines the location of future IUCr Congresses and General Assemblies;
- considers financial matters, including subscriptions and budgets;
- debates and votes on proposals and resolutions submitted in accordance with the Statutes and By-Laws." "

Who participates?

Each IUCr Adhering Body appoints delegates to represent it at the General Assembly. The number of votes available to an Adhering Body is determined by its membership category. Delegates may speak and vote on behalf of the crystallographic community they represent.

Members of the Executive Committee, Commission Chairs, and representatives of Regional and Scientific Associates also contribute reports and participate in the work related to the General Assembly, in accordance with the applicable rules.
How the General Assembly works

Adhering Bodies appoint delegates to represent them at the General Assembly. The agenda and supporting documents are circulated before the meeting, during which officers, committees, and other IUCr bodies present reports on their work. Delegates consider and discuss the proposals before them, with decisions made by vote in accordance with the IUCr’s Statutes and By-Laws. The proceedings and formal decisions are published following the meeting.