The International Virtual Observatory Alliance (IVOA) in 2020

Abstract: The International Virtual Observatory Alliance (IVOA) develops the technical standards needed for seamless discovery of and access to astronomy data worldwide, according to the Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR) principles, with the goal of realizing the Virtual Observatory (VO). There are 21 member organizations. The Netherlands VO applied for membership in 2020. Astronomical communities from other nations have shown interest in joining the IVOA. This paper describes the activities of the IVOA in 2020 and summarizes the May and November 2020 virtual "interoperability meetings." The May meeting was the first to be held online and the first to have over 200 registrants.