Let me just start by saying that you have no idea how much I enjoyed the latest copepod conference in Japan last month. To be able, after 7 long years, to meet fellow copepodologists again in person meant a lot to me and gave me a very special feeling. I am sure many of you share my sentiment. I attended the fourth copepod conference in Japan in 1990 when I first had the opportunity to meet the organizer of the 15th ICOC, Susumu Ohtsuka. After 34 years, to be able to be back in Japan for another copepod conference, it felt like coming home somehow. It also made me realize again what a wonderful research community we are all part of, how diverse it is in the science we conduct and share, and the cultural backgrounds and nationalities we represent.

It will therefore be an honour to serve the World Association of Copepodologists as President again, especially after the problems we experienced as a research community, with the previous in-person conference being cancelled, COVID which deprived us from meeting each other, and various geopolitical issues that we are still facing today. I am particularly delighted that after 31 years since our triannual conference took place in Oldenburg in Germany in 1996, we have the prospect to bring it back to Europe again thanks to Iole Di Capua who will be hosting it in Naples during the summer of 2027. Together with the Executive Council I will work hard to provide all the support the local organizing committee needs to make the next ICOC a real success. Italy is a wonderful country and Naples and its surroundings, including the islands off its coast, will offer a unique experience to all of us so I am hoping that you all attend the next event and that I can meet as many people as possible, old faces but particularly new and young ones.

As with every research community its success and dynamism lie with the next generation. Considering myself part of the older generation, I always strongly believed that it is worth investing in upcoming young scientists and give them a voice. This is what WAC should stand for and its Executive Council should reflect that in having a healthy, well-balanced mixture of established members that have organizational and other expertise, and younger members that come with new ideas and initiatives. The rejuvenation of the WAC Council started two years ago during the online e-ICOC with the appointment of Jimmy Bernot, Iole Di Capua and Alexandra Savchenko as members of the Executive Council and I am delighted to see this trend being continued with Kaori Wakabayashi, Marvin Choquet, Tiziana Di Lorenzo and Argun Özak joining us. It is also important that the WAC Council reflects diversity, gender equality, geographical representation, and the various fields of copepod research that we as an organization stand for and embrace. The new Council represents western and eastern Europe, Asia and America and includes distinguished researchers in the fields of marine plankton, freshwater and groundwater copepods, marine benthos, parasites associated with invertebrate and fish hosts, and molecular genetics. All of the Council members are committed to act as a focal point if you, as a WAC member or one of your students, have any questions about your research or are seeking advice and support.

I see you all in Napoli in three years’ time! Meanwhile, keep recruiting members, inspire your students and watch the space on the WAC website for new initiatives. We may look like a small organization compared to some others but through our research we represent the most abundant multicellular group on our planet – never forget the importance of what you do and keep promoting our society and science.

Sincerely

Rony Huys – 6 July 2024