The International Fire Safety Consortium (IFSC) brings together worldwide knowledge and expertise from top institutes to tackle the most critical and emerging fire safety challenges of our time, in the context of urbanization, social inequality, climate change, and human migration. The Consortium engages in research, education, and collaboration with industry, government, and non-governmental organizations to help inform policy and practice, protect property, and save lives. The IFSC will meet in person for the first time in 3 years and Prof Ruben Van Coile and Prof Bart Merci have the honor of hosting the meeting in Ghent.