Aunty Zeta Thomson is a well-regarded Woi-Wurrung Wurundjeri and Yorta-Yorta Traditional Owner, Knowledge Holder, Keeper of Language and Elder who has strong links to her ancestral homelands. Aunty Zeta was honoured with a solo exhibition of her original works to commemorate the opening of Birrarung Gallery, Bunjilaka, Melbourne Museum, in November 2000. Other exhibitions include Burrinja Gallery, Solo Exhibition 1999 and Deadly Arts, Arts Victoria, 2001, Federation Estate Ringwood, Parliament House, Sydney, North Melbourne Town Hall, Prahran Town Hall and New Zealand. Aunty Zeta was honoured by the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll in 2019 and in 2020 had her work 'Mookies Around the Waterhole' laminated to one of Melbourne's iconic trams. She is also the recipient of the Regional Champion Award for the Eastern Metropolitan Region Aboriginal Community Justice Awards in 2021, and the Certificate of Appreciation for Wominjeka Parkville, Monash University. In 2022, Aunty Zeta was the recipient of the Dr. Alf Bamblett Memorial Award for the Victorian Aboriginal Community Justice Awards and currently sits on the Koorie Court as a respected Elder, along with the Board of Directors for The Torch.

The One Fire Aboriginal Dance Company is a prominent Melbourne-based Indigenous dance troupe founded by Yorta Yorta brothers John and Geoff Tye. The name "One-Fire" symbolizes the philosophy that dancers from various regions bring their own stories and "fire" to unite in shared song, dance, and ceremony.

The Opening Ceremony officially welcomes delegates to the 20th World Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (WCP 2026). Hosted by the Congress Chair, the ceremony marks the commencement of the Congress and celebrates the coming together of the global pharmacology community in Melbourne, Australia. Delegates will be formally welcomed and introduced to the scientific program and the opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and professional engagement that will take place throughout the Congress. The ceremony sets the stage for an inspiring and productive meeting, recognising the importance of international collaboration in advancing basic and clinical pharmacology.

The Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists is the professional and independent society in Australia and New Zealand for those with expertise in the use and toxicity of medicines and chemicals. ASCEPT is a member-based organisation and membership comprises clinicians, pharmacologists, pharmacists and scientists. Established in 1966, ASCEPT is affiliated with the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR) and the International Union of Toxicology (IUTOX). ASCEPT has hosted International Congresses of Pharmacology (in 1987 and 2004) and Toxicology (in 2001 and 2004), and the South East Asian Western Pacific Regional Meeting of Pharmacologists (SEAWP-RMP) in 2007. The Society values its members and provides high-quality scientific meetings. It also recognises the achievements of its members by awarding prestigious Society prizes including the Rand Medal, the ASCEPT Lecturer and the ASCEPT Achievement Award, as well as student prizes and early career awards. As we look to the future it is an exciting and challenging time for our professions, and the Society will continue to enhance our national and international reputation through its work. ASCEPT continues to attract new members from Australia and New Zealand as well as from international universities, independent research centres, governments and health services.

The International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR) is a voluntary, non-profit association representing the interests of pharmacologists around the world through promoting international cooperation, sponsoring regional activities, encouraging free exchange of scientists and ideas, developing public awareness, the Nomenclature and Standards Committee of IUPHAR (NC-IUPHAR), and the GUIDE TO PHARMCOLOGY.

A welcome address from the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR), acknowledging the global pharmacology community and highlighting the importance of international collaboration, scientific excellence, and innovation in advancing pharmacological research, education, and clinical practice. The address welcomes delegates to WCP 2026 and recognises the Congress as a valuable opportunity to share knowledge, foster partnerships, and shape the future of pharmacology.