Theoretical Chemistry has seen significant advances in both methodology and applications in recent years. Theoretical and computational chemistry has opened up a world of new possibilities and is becoming an integral part of chemistry research. In Asia and Pacific countries there are many senior established individuals and young "rising stars". However, there has been little chance to meet together. In order to encourage the development of theoretical/computational chemistry in Asia and Pacific countries, the Asia-Pacific Association of Theoretical & Computational Chemists (APATCC) was founded in 2004.

One of the main initiatives of APATCC has been the organization of a series of international conference in theoretical/computational chemistry. The first was arranged in Okazaki, Japan (2004), the second in Bangkok, Thailand (2005), the third in Beijing, PR China (2007), the fourth in Port Dickson, Malaysia (2009), the fifth in Rotorua, New Zealand (2011), the sixth in Gyeongju, Korea (2013), the seventh in Kaohsiung, Taiwan (2016), the eighth in Mumbai, India (2017), and the ninth in Sydney Australia in 2019

The conferences are multidisciplinary and cover all aspects of computational and theoretical chemistry. Major goals of the conferences are to provide an overview of recent novel developments, advances and directions of research in the broad area of quantum molecular sciences as well as to establish interaction between the theoretical discipline of quantum molecular science and experiment. We want to make the conferences a more complete representation of the whole Asia-Pacific Theoretical Chemistry group and to ensure that the conferences will be the main event for all Asia-Pacific theoretical and computational chemists.

Another initiative of the APATCC consists of an annual attribution of medals to members of the scientific community who have distinguished themselves by pioneering and important contributions.