One Year On: Celebrating the Legacy of the IAU GA 2024

Today marks exactly one year since the opening of the historic International Astronomical Union General Assembly (IAU-GA 2024) in Cape Town, an event that, for the first time in over a century, brought the global astronomy community to African soil. This occasion was the culmination of years of vision, collaboration, and effort by the astronomy community in Africa, supported by stakeholders and partners who believed in our shared goal of transforming not only astronomy in Africa but also how the world sees the continent’s role in science globally.

The IAU GA 2024 was more than a conference. It was a statement of capability, inclusion, and unity. Over 2,500 delegates from more than 90 countries gathered to exchange ideas, and it saw bold innovation in hybrid conferencing and inclusive participation. It was an African-led event in every sense, bold in ambition and meticulous in execution.

As the National Organising Committee (NOC) concludes its work, we are happy to inform you that the final report of the event has been completed, and the GA received a clean audit opinion, reflecting the great standard of delivery made possible by a community. Please feel free to access the report here:

But what truly makes this anniversary special is that the legacy of the GA is not something we are merely reflecting on; it is alive, active, and growing. As part of South Africa’s National Science Week, schools around the country are today participating in the first virtual outreach session of the #Astronomy2024 Legacy Project. This session is made possible using the very same TV screens and Raspberry Pi kits that powered the GA’s hybrid poster sessions. These systems, once used by delegates to engage with cutting-edge science, have been repurposed to reach classrooms in diverse areas, allowing learners to connect to astronomy in ways that are interactive, digital, and inspiring. Today’s session featured an accessible introduction to astronomy, storytelling through African Indigenous knowledge, real-world case studies on development through science, an interactive quiz, and included participation of members of the African community from different countries. This session is a powerful symbol of continuity, from the big conference rooms at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in August 2024 to local classrooms a year later, showing how a single event can create long-term, tangible opportunities.

We are deeply grateful to the growing network of partners across the country who are bringing this legacy to life by supporting the distribution of Raspberry Pi’s and TV screens and facilitating outreach. These include national facilities, science centres, universities, private sector partners, government, and various district departments of education. Their support ensures that the infrastructure used during the GA is now in the hands of learners and educators, enabling long-term engagement with astronomy and STEM across urban and rural areas alike. We also wish to recognise and celebrate the IAU GA ambassadors, who are central to sustaining and expanding this legacy.