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Connecting the global automatic control community since 1957

IFAC is a multinational federation of National Member Organizations promoting the science and technology of automatic control across engineering, biological, social and natural systems.

Overview of IFAC

The International Federation of Automatic Control was founded in September 1957 as a multinational federation of National Member Organizations. Each one represents the engineering and scientific community involved in automatic control in its country.
45 National Member Organizations
9 Coordinating Committees
38 Technical Committees
7800+ Affiliates
The documents and articles below cover the federation’s foundation and operating principles. They include the IFAC Constitution and By-laws, and introductory brochures for new members and partner organizations.

IFAC Constitution and By-Laws

December 2025 the General Assembly of NMOs adopted by e-vote an amendment to the By-Laws which introduces Technical Committee Senior Membership.

Dimitri Peaucelle IFAC Secretary
1 min read 11-Aug-2026

IFAC at a glance

This slideshow provides a brief overview to the what, why, and how of IFAC.

Dimitri Peaucelle IFAC Secretary
1 min read 12-Aug-2026

Resources & Downloads

Brochure and Constitution

OFFICIAL DOCUMENT

Aims, Vision and Mission

Vision

For IFAC to be the worldwide federation for promoting automatic control for the benefit of humankind.

Mission

To promote the science and technology of automatic control through technical meetings, publications, and other means consistent with the goals and values of IFAC.

Values

Honesty and Integrity, Excellence and Relevance, Sustainability, Diversity and Inclusivity.

Goals

  1. Organize and sponsor high-quality technical meetings that are relevant to the automatic control community.
  2. Be a trusted source of publication material on automatic control renowned for its technical excellence.
  3. Help create an environment within which the automatic control community can prosper.
  4. Provide volunteers and staff with meaningful and rewarding opportunities for career-enhancing participation in the Federation.
  5. Help promote the benefits of automatic control among the public at large.

The Aims of IFAC

Learn about the aims of IFAC and its commitment to promoting the science and technology of automatic control worldwide.

Dimitri Peaucelle IFAC Secretary
11-Aug-2026
About IFAC Guidelines

Codes and Statements

IFAC recognizes its role as a worldwide federation for promoting automatic control for the benefit of humankind. Here are the codes and statements directing our conduct.

Code of Conduct

IFAC's ethical and professional standards.

Dimitri Peaucelle IFAC Secretary
1 min read 12-Aug-2026

Copyright Conditions

The copyright conditions of publications submitted to IFAC-sponsored meetings.

Dimitri Peaucelle
1 min read 12-Aug-2026

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

IFAC, as an international federation serving and representing all those concerned with the theory and application of automatic control and systems engineering wherever situated, is devoted to creating and fostering an inclusive environment that is open to diverse thoughts, ideas, and communications, without fear of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation against any member of this community. It is committed to providing equal opportunities and a safe environment for every person who chooses to participate in its work. Additionally IFAC strives for these same principles for all IFAC activities, including technical events, journals, and its various committees and governing boards. IFAC actively promotes the inclusion of a diverse set of speakers, which will lead to more representative discussions across IFAC. IFAC actively promotes the inclusion of a diverse set of members of its boards and committees at all levels, which will lead to more representative decisions, policies and activities across IFAC.

IFAC Presidents

Messages and other news from the IFAC President.
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IFAC Story & History

The federation has a proud and long history as a global professional society devoted to the field of control systems. Our story keeps on growing as we celebrate the past to embrace the future.
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Six Decades of Automatic Control

Created

1956

The first International Conference on Automatic Control was held in Heidelberg in 1956. Participants declared the need to create an international organization of automatic control.

  1. 1956

    First International Conference on Automatic Control

    The first International Conference on Automatic Control was held at the University of Heidelberg from 25 to 29 September 1956. At that conference 30 participants signed a declaration in which the need to create an international organization of automatic control was clearly defined.

  2. 1957

    Founding in Paris

    On September 12, 1957, the First General Assembly convened at the constituent meeting in Paris. Delegates from 18 countries representing their national organizations assembled at the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers under the chairmanship of Victor Broida. They voted on the Constitution and By-Laws; they elected the first President, Harold Chestnut.

  3. 1969

    Automatica launched

    IFAC's flagship journal becomes the leading publication for control research worldwide.

  4. 2007

    PapersOnLine introduced

    Open-access digital archive of all IFAC conference proceedings.

  5. 2017

    60th Anniversary

    Toulouse World Congress celebrates 60 years of IFAC achievements. The IFAC Story ebook is released.

  6. 2026

    22nd World Congress, Busan

    Largest gathering yet, with new tracks on AI, energy systems and human-centric control.

Latest News About IFAC

Council meetings, presidential messages, nominations, and obituaries — the institutional life of the federation.
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