During the three‐week period August 17 to September 6, 1949, there was held at the United Nations headquarters at Lake Success, New York, an international scientific conference dealing with all aspects of the utilization and conservation of natural resources. The conference was authorized by a resolution of the Economic and Social Council in March 1947, who wisely stipulated that it should be limited strictly to an exchange of information, ideas and experience, and should not pass resolutions or otherwise advise or commit member governments. It was to be a scientific rather than a political conference.