It is a great honor and pleasure for us to welcome you all to the DehaloCon-IV -The 4^th International Conference on Anaerobic Biological Dehalogenation in Guangzhou, China, on behalf of the organizing committee. This conference is co-hosted by Sun Yat-sen University and the Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, both of which are committed to fostering scientific exchange and collaboration. 

The DehaloCon-IV conference serves as a pivotal platform for scholars, researchers, and practitioners to converge and explore the latest advancements, methodologies, and discoveries in the field of anaerobic biological dehalogenation. This year's theme, "Advancing Environmental Sustainability through Anaerobic Biological Dehalogenation" underscores our collective commitment to addressing environmental challenges through innovative scientific approaches.

This year, we are delighted to host around 300 participants who will have the opportunity to engage in dynamic discussions and presentations. The conference will feature two plenary sessions and six parallel sessions, representing a significant expansion from previous editions with inclusion of the abiotic dehalogenation session. This addition marks a new direction in our exploration of dehalogenation, broadening the scope of our understanding and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.

We eagerly anticipate fruitful discussions and the sharing of groundbreaking research that will contribute to our collective understanding and advancement of anaerobic biological dehalogenation. Together, let us inspire and motivate the young scientists joining us at this event, paving the way for future discoveries and advancements in this vital field.

On behalf of the organizing committee, we warmly welcome all of you to Guangzhou, China, and wish you all a productive discussion and a pleasant stay in this vibrant and historically rich city. 

Jun Yan                                                      Shanquan Wang 

Professor                                                                        Professor

Institute of Applied Ecology,                                           Sun Yat-sen University

Chinese Academy of Sciences