[1] The Union is devoted to promoting research and education in biochemistry and molecular biology throughout the world, and gives particular attention to localities where the subject is still in its early development.

At the time, biochemistry was blossoming as a discipline and was seeking its own recognition as a union within the International Council for Science (ICSU).

[citation needed] IUBMB organizes a triennial Congress of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and sponsors three annual focussed meetings.

[citation needed] The IUBMB is committed to providing training opportunities to biochemists and molecular biologists around the world.

The publishing program supports the IUBMB's mission of fostering growth and advancement of biochemistry and molecular biology as the foundation from which the biomolecular sciences derive their basic ideas and techniques in the service of humanity.