On behalf of the Local Organising Committee, it is my great pleasure to extend a warm  welcome to the twenty-first edition of the International Conference on Harmful Algae  (ICHA 2025), which will take place at the southernmost tip of the Americas, in the city of  Punta Arenas, Chile, from October 19 to 24, 2025.  

We are deeply honoured to have been entrusted with the organisation of this  distinguished conference and are committed to providing a rich and stimulating  experience for all participants. We hope you will accept our invitation to not only engage  with the diverse scientific activities that are the hallmark of ICHA, but also to immerse  yourselves in the stunning natural landscapes and cultural richness of Chile’s extreme  south. Punta Arenas, often regarded as the gateway to Antarctica, offers a unique  backdrop for this gathering, blending natural beauty, historical significance, and  scientific relevance.  

From this moment forward, we warmly welcome you to the —Magallanes and Chilean  Antarctica region—the southernmost administrative division of Chile. This remarkable  area boasts a compelling history, reaching its zenith in the early 20th century before the  opening of the Panama Canal. It is also home to fascinating stories of resilience and  adaptation by the indigenous peoples who inhabited this land for over 7,000-12,000  years. The conference logo pays homage to two of these sea nomads groups: the  Kawésqar, who roamed the northern regions of the Strait of Magellan, and the Yagán,  who lived to the south, particularly around the Beagle Channel. You are invited to explore  the meaning behind this emblematic logo on the Conference website.  

This region is not only culturally and historically significant but also scientifically relevant.  Historical records from the late 19th century describe Yaghan communities in the Beagle  Channel experiencing paralytic shellfish poisoning symptoms after consuming  contaminated mussels. Furthermore, the first recorded bloom associated with paralytic  shellfish toxins in this region occurred in Bahía Bell, near Punta Arenas, in the early 1970s.  Today, the fjords of southern Chile are home to diverse harmful algal species and  associated marine toxins, making Punta Arenas an ideal setting for advancing  discussions on harmful algal blooms (HABs).  

During the conference week, Punta Arenas will serve as a beacon of scientific exchange  and collaboration, illuminating the challenges and opportunities associated with HAB  science. The chosen theme, “From HAB Science to Environmental Resilience”, reflects  our aspiration to inspire creative solutions, future insights, and technological  advancements that address the complex interplay between HABs and environmental  sustainability. 

We are confident that ICHA 2025 will provide a unique opportunity for scientists from  across the globe to interact, share knowledge, and establish the foundations for future  collaborative research. Participants will explore the latest advancements in  understanding the ecological, societal, and economic impacts of HABs, with a focus on  developing predictive tools, mitigation strategies, and control measures. While marine  ecosystems remain central to our discussions, the conference will also open the floor to  studies of HABs in freshwater systems such as rivers and lakes, offering a comprehensive  perspective on this critical global challenge.  

As we conclude this message of welcome, we extend our heartfelt invitation for you to  join us in Punta Arenas, a city located on the northern shore of the iconic Strait of  Magellan, on the Brunswick Peninsula. This region is part of the renowned Patagonian  territory, where the dramatic landscapes reflect the remnants of glaciations that occurred  between 40,000 and 10,000 years before present.  

We look forward to welcoming you to this extraordinary corner of the world for a week  of scientific dialogue, discovery, and camaraderie.