Under the auspices of the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research's Asia and Pacific Division (IAHR-APD), this gathering was orchestrated by the Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute (CRSRI) and Sichuan University (SCU), with invaluable backing from the GWP China Yangtze River Basin Water Partnership.
The Congress centered its discourse around the pivotal theme, "Water for a Changing Future," underlining the imperative to advance water science and technology amidst a world in rapid transformation, fostering collaboration towards a sustainable water future.
It drew a congregation of 500 elite experts, scholars, and esteemed guests hailing from over 30 diverse countries and regions, spanning China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Poland, Canada, Greece, Austria, and Ghana. Among others, the Congress delved into multifaceted issues and challenges confronting water security, environment, resources, ecology, and more. It served as a crucible for exploring cutting-edge water governance paradigms and technological breakthroughs, fostering robust scientific and technological exchanges and collaborations across the Asia-Pacific region.
The Congress was backed by over 30 supporting organizations, including the GWP China Yangtze River, the Yangtze River Science Academy of the Yangtze River Conservancy Commission, Sichuan University, China Three Gorges Corporation, the International Economic and Technological Cooperation Exchange Center of the Ministry of Water Resources, and Yangtze River Design Group Co., Ltd., the Congress created an unparalleled platform. This venue allowed stakeholders to engage in thought-provoking discussions, exchange invaluable experiences, and showcase their innovative scientific and technological accomplishments in the realm of water.
The four-day conference received a combined total of 418 abstracts and 278 full-text papers. It hosted a series of academic events including 2 plenary sessions, 1 roundtable discussion, 19 thematic sessions, 12 workshops, and 4 side-events. Throughout the conference, participants presented 197 oral reports and exhibited 53 academic posters. A water conservancy environmental heritage project, one outstanding participant, and four top conference papers were recognized. Additionally, a showcase of scientific and technological advancements in the water sector was featured. Over 40 organizations mounted special exhibitions centered on the conference theme, highlighting their experiences and accomplishments in areas such as water ecology governance and protection, efficient water resource utilization, flood and drought prevention, smart water conservancy, water-efficient irrigation, the construction and operational management of water resources projects, survey and design services, urban water management, and other related fields.
The IAHR-APD Congress is an influential academic exchange platform for water science and technology in the Asia-Pacific region. It is held every two years and has been successfully held for 23 times since first held in 1978. The objective of the 24th IAHR-APD Congress is to provide a meeting place to share experiences, promote discussion, and to present new knowledge, research results and new developments in the field of water sciences in the Asia Pacific region.