Dear presenters, members, exhibitors and guests,
Due to coronavirus pandemic (SARS-CoV-2), we are facing extraordinary circumstances, imposing huge restrictions on traveling and meetings in most of the countries. In view of the extraordinary situation, it was decided to postpone the general congress ICO-25-OWLS-16-Dresden-Germany for one year. The world congress of optics and photonics is to be celebrated from
13th September to 17th September 2021.
The ICO Bureau discussed the organization of the general congress ICO-25-OWLS-16-Dresden-Germany. After assessing the current situation and weighing up all options, the postponement seems the only sensible decision. Large gatherings should still be avoided, and it will be a long-term process to come back to normality. In the time where the pandemic is spreading around the globe it is very likely that even for the original date many of us still have to face travel bans or feel inconvenient to undertake long-distance trips. As an umbrella organization ICO is especially affected due to its highly international character. We have received submissions from the impressing number of about 50 countries. Under these terms, we cannot assume the situation will have normalized in such a way that the congress and the general assembly can be held in a meaningful manner. We regret this step extraordinarily, in particular because many of us have already put significant effort, be it writing contributions, preparing reviews, planning the program, organizing the conference and many other things.
We hope that this postponement will not cause too much inconvenience for you and that you will be able to join us in 2021. Please stay informed about the further planning on the website ico25.org
Wishing you all the best in these extraordinary times. Please take care of yourself. Stay healthy and optimistic that we can meet and celebrate in 2021.
Juergen Czarske
General Chair of ICO-25-OWLS-16, 13th September to 17th September 2021, Dresden, Germany