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The third annual conference of the African Astronomical Society (AfAS-2023) will take place as a hybrid event from 13 to 17 March 2023 at the University of the Witwatersrand Origins Centre, Johannesburg, hosted by the Wits Centre for Astrophysics. The AfAS-2023 conference will focus on the science, outreach, communication, and education activities emanating from Astronomy in Africa and seek to enhance further collaborations among countries in Africa and the rest of the world. The annual AfAS conference attracts policymakers, funders, researchers, outreach officers, and educators. It provides them with a platform to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, concerns, and challenges encountered and to adopt solutions.

OBJECTIVES

• Share astronomy research from across Africa and promote dialogues, critical conversations, and debates around research topics.
• Foster collaborations between the African Astronomy Community and the rest of the world
• Showcase recent developments in Astronomy in African countries.
• Provide a platform for policymakers, funders, researchers, outreach officers, and educators to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, concerns, challenges encountered, and solutions adopted.
• Provide a platform for deliberations on strategies and policies, including the establishment and roll-out of astronomy schools, flagship projects, etc.
• Discuss continental, regional, and national plans leading to the IAU General Assembly in 2024, Vision 2024, and the envisaged legacy thereafter.
• Discussions on membership and conference fees and benefits and acceptance, in principle, for introducing membership fees from April 2024.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

• New partnerships and collaborations in the fields of astronomy and related big data research in Africa and internationally
• Increased Awareness of activities in Africa, both by Africans and international collaborators
• Increase in collaborations and better dialogue amongst countries
• Young African researchers inspired to take ownership and drive the development of astronomy in Africa.
• Strategic partnerships for the implementation of AfAS flagship and other projects for the development of Astronomy in Africa and aligned to the goals of the GA2024 and beyond
• Approval of conference and membership fees and benefits