Over the past 60 years, the General Assembly of the United Nations has acknowledged important fields of international endeavour and their contributions to society by declaring United Nations International Years.

The International Commission on Glass (ICG), along with the Community of Glass Associations (CoGA) and the ICOM Glass, the International Committee for Museums and Collection of Glass of the International Council of Museums promoted a United Nations International Year of Glass for 2022. It will underline the technological, scientific and economic importance of glass — a transparent and enabling material underpinning so many of our technologies and which can facilitate the development of more just and sustainable societies that meet the challenges of globalization. It is a valuable medium for art and its history is shared with that of humankind.

With their unparalleled versatility and technical capabilities, glassy materials have in recent decades fostered numerous cultural and scientific advancements:

• Glass is the main conduit of our knowledge-based society. Glass optical fibres have stimulated a change of paradigm that has led to a global communications revolution; they are the backbone of the internet and the associated globalization of information. Glassmakers have given us touch-sensitive glass covers for our mobile phones that revolutionized the way we communicate with each other.

• Glass is the chemically resistant container material for many of our life-saving medicines of today. This is particularly important in the world’s quest for the delivery of a vaccine to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. A strengthened glass container has dramatically improved the reliability of the EpiPen treatment of life-threatening anaphylaxis shock from severe allergic reactions.

• Glass sheets support solar cells and give clean energy; glass fibres reduce our carbon footprint by strengthening wind turbine blades, by insulating our homes and through carbon capture and sequestration (CCS); the vitrification of hazardous waste is increasing nuclear energy safety,

• Bioglass compositions have advanced health care with their ability to: integrate with human bone; stimulate the human body’s natural defence to heal flesh wounds; aid tissue design and regeneration; resolve hearing and dental issues. • Glass optics and optoelectronics have evolved so that the James Webb space telescope can now study the very first moments after the big bang and expand understanding of the Universe. • Glass melting is being de-carbonised and glassy products are being safely recycled.

• Archaeologists are learning more about ancient trade routes and the politics of raw materials.

• Glass artists across the globe have given humankind an awareness of this wonderful material including its remarkable methods of fabrication, inherent beauty, and ability to capture and display nature’s full spectrum of colour.

We look forward to joining with you in this great opportunity for the promotion of the glass industry and your organization's support of this once in a lifetime sponsorship opportunity.