The 7th Large Asian River International Symposium Successfully Held

From August 11 to 17, 2024, the 7th Large Asian River International Symposium, organized by the LARGE ASIAN RIVER COMMITTEE and hosted by the Institute of Technology of Cambodia, took place in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. The symposium, themed "Global Change and River Evolution: Perspectives from the Past, Present, and Future," attracted over 50 experts, scholars, and graduate students from more than ten prestigious universities and research institutions worldwide. Participants included East China Normal University, National University of Singapore, Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Kunming Branch of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chang'an University, China University of Geosciences, South China Normal University, Hohai University, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Shaanxi Normal University, Shantou University, Indian Institutes of Technology, Tribhuvan University, Cairo University, and others. They explored the evolution of river systems and the impact of global environmental changes from both historical and modern perspectives.

Professor Chanthol PENG of the Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Professor Zhou, Jie, Director of the Kunming Branch of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Ashok Kumar SINGHVI, a Quaternary geologist and former Vice President of the Indian National Science Academy, and Professor LU, Xi Xi, Chair of the Large Asian River International Symposium and faculty member at the National University of Singapore, attended and delivered speeches at the opening ceremony. The ceremony was chaired by Professor HE, Hongming, Co-Chair of the Large Asian River International Symposium and faculty member at the School of Geographic Sciences at East China Normal University.

During the keynote presentations by invited experts, Professor Rajiv Sinha, a Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy, Professor CHEN, Zhongyuan of East China Normal University, Professor HUANG, Heqing of China University of Geosciences, Professor LAI, Zhongping of Shantou University, and Dr. PEI, Qing of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University each delivered reports.

The symposium featured four thematic sub-forums and a poster display platform. Discussions centered on the main topics of the conference, highlighting the recent catastrophic hydrometeorological events in Asian river basins and pointing out that geological periods’ climate changes, extreme events, land use changes, basin management, and dam construction have been important factors contributing to river landscape changes. Additionally, the symposium delved into the increasing frequency and intensity of floods and droughts, intensified erosion and sedimentation, expanding water scarcity, shrinking glaciers, diminishing sea ice and snow cover, deteriorating water quality, and ecosystem pollution.

Field investigations of the Mekong River, Tonle Sap Lake, and the Angkor Cultural Heritage Site were organized during the symposium, allowing global experts and scholars to conduct in-depth studies of wetland ecosystems and regional sustainable development.

At the closing ceremony, Professor LU, Xi Xi summarized the positive outcomes of the academic presentations. The final award ceremony recognized outstanding young researchers for their exceptional presentations and posters.

Figure 1: Group photo of participants

Figure 2: Collage of invited experts' photos

Figure 3: Group photo of field investigation participants

Figure 4: Award ceremony group photo