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The 24th IAHR-APD Congress was held from October 14 to 17, 2024, at the Wuhan Optics Valley Convention & Exhibition Center, under the theme "Water for a Changing Future." The event was hosted by the IAHR Asia and Pacific Division (APD) and jointly organized by the Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute of Changjiang Water Resources Commission (CRSRI) and Sichuan University, and co-organized by over 30 entities including China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG) and the International Economic & Technical Cooperation and Exchange Center of Ministry of Water Resources of China (INTCE).

 Opening Ceremony

Key attendees at the opening ceremony, among others, included:

• Li Liangsheng, Vice Minister, Ministry of of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China

• Chen Ping, Vice Governor, Hubei Provincial People’s Government

• Philippe Gourbesville, President, IAHR

• Liu Dongshun, Commissioner, Changjiang Water Resources Commission, Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China

• Liu Weiping, Board Chairman, China Three Gorges Corporation

• Norio Tanaka, Chair, IAHR Asia and Pacific Division

• Xu Weilin, Academician, Chinese Academy of Engineering; Director, State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University

• Zhang Zhongjun, Vice Mayor, Wuhan Municipal Government

The opening ceremony was chaired by Wu Daoxi, Vice Commissioner, Changjiang Water Resources Commission, Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China.

 Keynote Speeches

Keynote speeches were given by:

• Liu Dongshun, Commissioner, Changjiang Water Resources Commission, Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China

• Mohamed Ghidaoui, Vice President, IAHR; Professor, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

• Niu Xinqiang, Academician, Chinese Academy of Engineering; Chief Scientist, Changjiang Design Group Co., Ltd

• Xu Zuxin, Academician, Chinese Academy of Engineering; Professor, Tongji University

• Adrian Law Wing Keung, Professor, National University of Singapore

• Wang Yanxin, Academician, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Professor, China University of Geosciences

• Vladimir Nikora, Fellow, Royal Academy of Engineering; Professor, University of Aberdeen

 Roundtable Discussion

A roundtable on "Flood and Drought Mitigation within Climate Change Area: How to Ensure Sustainable Water Use and Ecological Needs?" was organized and chaired by IAHR President Philippe Gourbesville, with participants discussing topics like sustainable water infrastructure, integrated water resource management, energy transitions, innovation and governance.

 Participation and Activities

The congress attracted around 500 experts and scholars from over 30 countries and regions including China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Poland, Canada, Greece, Austria, and Ghana. Participants explored issues such as water security, water environment, water resources, and water ecology while exchanging ideas on innovative governance and technologies.

Key academic activities included:

• 418 abstract submissions and 278 accepted full papers

• 2 plenary sessions, 1 roundtable, 19 thematic sessions, 12 special sessions, and 4 side events

• 197 oral and 53 poster presentations

 Closing Ceremony

The congress concluded on October 17, with Wu Daoxi summarizing the event. Awards presented included:

• IAHR-APD Distinguished Membership Award to Gregory De Costa, past chair of the IAHR Asia and Pacific Region

• IAHR Hydro-Environment Asia and Pacific Division Heritage Award to Hankou Hydrological Station

• IAHR-APD Best Paper Award to four outstanding contributions

The event also featured the handover ceremony for the 25th IAHR-APD Congress, which will take place in Incheon, South Korea, in 2026.

 Exhibition

The congress hosted a water-related science and technology exhibition with participation from 40+ organizations showcasing advances in areas like water ecology, efficient water use, flood and drought management, smart water management, water-saving irrigation, and urban water services.

 Events at this APD Congress

 Next Congress

The 25th IAHR-APD Congress will be held in Incheon, Korea in 2026! More info