Rites of passage have stood the test of time in many cultures and signal an important transition. In 2013, the IEEE International Requirements Engineering (RE) conference will be held for the 21st time. To mark this coming of age, we seek to investigate whether the field has made its transition from adolescence into adulthood, and we hope to guide its onward journey. As the premier forum for a global network of requirements engineers, it is time for us to analyze our own achievements; are we addressing the ‘right’ problems and are we providing effective solutions? RE’13 is an opportunity for researchers, practitioners, educators, and students to come together to reflect, discuss, and identify important topics still to tackle in the field of requirements engineering. RE’13 will feature a number of innovations to enhance this community interaction and, in addition to the customary research and industry papers, invites submissions in a special category of shorter papers that explicitly address the theme of RE@21. RE’13 will take place in the ‘Cidade Maravilhosa’ (‘Marvelous City’) of Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Rio’s incredible mix of geography blends beaches, ocean, and lagoons with mountains and the largest urban forest in the world. It is home to the leading conglomerate of media and communications companies in Latin America, headquarters to two of Brasil’s major forces in the energy sector, and a significant center of research and development. Well known worldwide for its carnival, samba schools, and passion for football, Rio is a city in transition and currently enjoying a high global profile. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012, preparations are in place to host the final match of the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016. RE’13 will be held at Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) in Rio’s bohemian quarter, close to the famous beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana. Please join us for RE’13 in Rio.