The International Union for Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP), an organization that promotes research in physics, welcomed Ghana and Senegal into its ranks. This marked the first time that two sub-Saharan nations will join the Union. The membership drive for Ghana and Senegal was organized by Gallieno Denardo, Head of ICTP's Office of External Activities. The Centre, in fact, has played a major role in improving the relationship between the IUPAP and less developed countries. In addition, the IUPAP plans to hold a series of major conferences focusing on the future of optics research. Conference locations include the ICTP in Trieste; Ahmedabad, India; Dakar, Senegal; and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Each of the sessions will deal with problems related to the field of optics that are of special interest to the region.