Introduction to

International Large Asian River Symposium

Background and Historical Context

The International Large Asian River Symposium series have established itself as a prominent platform for academic exchange and collaboration on river science and management. Since its inception, the symposium has aimed to address the multifaceted challenges faced by large river basins in Asia, particularly in the context of rapid environmental changes and anthropogenic impacts.

The Symposium Series in the Past

The first International Symposium on Large Asian Rivers was held in December 2006 in Nanjing, China, focusing on fluvial-coastal zone interactions. This inaugural event highlighted the dramatic interventions by humans in large Asian river basins, such as land use changes, reservoir and road construction, and water diversion, which have significantly impacted water and sediment discharge in rivers like the Huanghe (Yellow River) and Changjiang (Yangtze River). The symposium provided a crucial platform for exchanging research findings on how these changes affect estuarine and coastal zones, leading to issues such as freshwater shortages, seawater intrusion, sediment depletion, coastal erosion, and pollution.

Following this, the second symposium in September 2007 in Nanchang, China, expanded the focus to include the impacts of climate change on river basins, water resources management, and the ecological effects of human activities. This event continued to draw international experts, fostering discussions on current and future climate change, its impact on river runoff and sediment, and the necessity of integrating river basin management with coastal zone protection.

The third symposium, held in November 2008 in Urumqi, China, emphasized climate change and watershed management. It addressed water scarcity issues in arid and semi-arid regions, and the need for sustainable development and ecosystem maintenance in the larger Asian river basins. Participants had the opportunity to explore the Tarim River, highlighting the local and global significance of these river systems.

The fourth symposium in July 2010 in Wuhan, and addressing the ecological health of large Asian rivers as affected by economic activities and human activities. It was jointly organized with an internal symposium on river ecology.

The fifth symposium in November 2011 in Nanjing, China, continued to build on these themes. They included discussions on the interactions between climate change and human activities such as land use, reservoir and dam construction, water diversion, and sand mining. These events provided valuable insights into the climatic and hydrological processes affecting large Asian river basins and offered opportunities for field excursions to observe these impacts firsthand.

The sixth symposium, held in May 2014 in Xi'an, Shaanxi, China, focused on the sustainability of water environments and ecological security at the river basin scale. This event underscored the need for multidisciplinary investigations into the dynamic changes of large Asian rivers and the challenges of conserving biodiversity in the face of climate change. With over 100 participants from more than 10 countries, the symposium highlighted the global significance of these issues and reinforced the importance of continued academic collaboration.

The 7th Symposium: A New Chapter

The upcoming 7th International Large Asian River Symposium, scheduled for August 11-17 at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, will build on the legacy of the previous symposia. The theme for this year is "River Evolution and Global Environment Change in Historical and Modern Perspectives," reflecting the ongoing need to understand and manage the complex interactions between natural and anthropogenic factors affecting river systems.

This symposium aims to foster interdisciplinary research and collaboration, bringing together experts from river science, fluvial geomorphology, historical geography, and other related fields. The event will feature a mix of academic presentations, field trip to the Mekong River, and discussions with local experts and policymakers. By examining river evolution from both historical and modern perspectives, participants will gain for a deeper understanding of the long-term impacts of environmental change on river systems and explore strategies for sustainable management.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the 7th symposium are:

· To enhance interdisciplinary research on river evolution and global environmental change.

· To promote international collaboration among researchers, institutions, and organizations.

· To deepen the understanding of river dynamics and their impacts on the environment and society over time.

· To provide insights into sustainable river management practices in the context of ongoing climate change and human activities.

Key Themes

The conference will cover a wide range of themes, including but not limited to:

· Fluvial geomorphology and river dynamics

· Quaternary science and paleoenvironmental studies

· Historical geography and human-river interactions

· River management and policy

· Climate change impacts on river systems

· Technological advancements in river research