On behalf of the Organizing Committee of the 24th International Society of Heterocyclic Chemistry Congress (24th ISHC-Congress), the International Society of Heterocyclic Chemistry (ISHC), and the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, I extend a warm welcome to you to take part in the 24th ISHC-Congress in Shanghai in 2013. The Congress will be held at the Shanghai International Convention Center between 8 and 13 September 2013. In conjunction with our International Advisory Committee we plan to have an exciting range of cutting edge heterocyclic chemistry on offer to reflect recent advances in a truly international coverage. Under the theme of ‘Heterocycles for Better Life’, we envisage at this stage four major topics: Heterocyclic Natural Products, Synthesis of Heterocycles and Heterocycles for Synthesis, Bioactive Heterocycles, and Functional Heterocycles. We anticipate over 1000 participants from both academic and industry to attend the congress. The congress center locates at the heart of the Shanghai city. Nearby are the city’s tallest land markers, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center. Economic and luxury hotels (50 to 200 US$ per night), various restaurants, and shops are available within 10 min by walk. Shanghai is a cosmopolitan metropolis, the economic center of China. This warm welcoming and vibrant city is easy to navigate with a comprehensive public transport network and excellent rail, road, and air links. September is the best season in Shanghai with temperatures around 24oC.