Established in 1919, the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) is an international,
non-governmental, non-profit 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. Data, information, and knowledge gained
are made openly available for the benefit of society – to provide the information necessary for the
discovery and responsible use of natural resources, sustainable management of the environment,
reducing the impact of natural hazards, and to satisfy our need to understand the Earth’s natural
environment and the consequences of human activities. IUGG Associations and Union Commissions
encourage scientific investigation of Earth science and especially interdisciplinary aspects. Each
Association establishes working groups and commissions that can be accessed by using the links on
our website (see also the IUGG chart on the following page).
IUGG is one of 40 scientific unions adhering to the International Science Council (ISC). ISC provides a
global forum for scientists to exchange ideas and information and to develop standard methods and
procedures for all fields of research. IUGG brings expertise on Earth studies from researchers in its
International and Inter-Association Commissions. As a member of ISC, IUGG strongly supports its policy
of non-discrimination by affirming the rights and freedom of scientists throughout the world to engage
in international scientific activity without limitation by such factors as citizenship, religion, creed,
political stance, ethnic origin, race, color, language, age or gender.
IUGG has initiated and/or vigorously supported collaborative efforts that have led to highly productive
world-wide interdisciplinary programs and projects, such as the International Geophysical Year (1957-
58), the Upper Mantle Project (1964-70), the International Hydrological Decade (1965-74), the
Geodynamics Project (1972-79), the Global Atmospheric Research Program (1967-80), the
International Lithosphere Program, the World Climate Research Programme, the International Decade
for Natural Disaster Reduction, Integrated Research on Risk Disasters, the International Heliophysical
Year (2007-2009), the Electronic Geophysical Year (2007-2008), the International Year of Planet Earth
(2007-2009), the International Polar Year (2007-2008), Extreme Natural Hazards and Societal
Implications (2010-2014), International Year of Deltas (2013-2014), and the International GeosphereBiosphere Programme (1987-2015). These programs have set a model for international,
interdisciplinary cooperation. Representing all geophysical disciplines, IUGG is involved in the projects
and programs related to climate change, global warming, and related environmental impacts.