Professor David Black, an organic chemist at the University of New South Wales, has been re-elected as Secretary General of the International Council for Science (ICSU).

The Council’s 31st General Assembly recently held in New Zealand re-elected Black who has served as its Secretary General since 2011.

The ICSU is a non-government organisation with a global membership of national scientific bodies and international science unions. It plans and coordinates research to address major issues of relevance to science and society.

Professor Gordon McBean, an internationally recognised Canadian meteorologist and climate change expert, was elected the new President of the ICSU.

A Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (AAS), Black was elected as an Academy Fellow in 2011 for his work in organic chemistry and leadership in scientific diplomacy.

“During his time as Secretary General, he has done exemplary work promoting the mission of the Council to scientific communities and the general public,” AAS President Professor Andrew Holmes said in congratulating Black on his re-election.

Black’s second term as Secretary General of ICSU will expire in 2017.