the international association of geochemistry and cosmochemistry (iagc) was formally founded on 8 may 1967. prior to that time the organization of international geochemical affairs was largely carried out through the inorganic chemistry section of the international union of pure and applied chemistry (iupac) starting in 1960. it was at the twenty-first international geological congress (igc) at copenhagen in 1960 when the international union of geological sciences (iugs) was formally established and geochemists formed a close bond with the world geological community. earl ingerson, as chairman or secretary to three of the then existing international geochemical organizations, coordinated a meeting of members of the committees on geochemistry of the igc, iugg and iupac in new delhi in 1964, but was himself unable to attend. this meeting, chaired by ken sugawara, drew up draft statutes and nominated temporary officers, with the result that in november 1965, earl ingerson called a meeting in paris to name the association, complete the statutes, elect temporary officers and apply to iugs for immediate affiliation. the first council meeting was held on 8 may 1967 at unesco headquarters in paris, presided over by earl ingerson.