We are delighted and honored to host the first Israel-Japan conference in Chemistry, in the most appropriate venue: Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, the earliest established University in Israel. Israel and Japan share the persuasive drive for excellence, reflected in immense efforts on high level academic education and focus on contemporary research activities. The subject selected for this conference is on the imperative role of catalysis for the sustainability of our planet, which will be exemplified by inspiring lectures delivered by 10 leading researchers from each of our countries. We trust that this will pave the way for increased binational scientific collaborations, of mutual benefits to all participants.