On the morning of May 9th 2025, an exchange activity bringing together national and international experts in disaster prevention and mitigation was warmly held at IDMR.
A delegation of disaster prevention and mitigation experts from South Asia, organized by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), visited IDMR. They engaged in discussions with the faculty, students and experts from Sichuan Province in the field of disaster prevention and mitigation, as well as exchanged insights and suggestions about disaster risk reduction efforts in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region.
The exchange symposium was chaired by Associate Professor Bingwei Tian, Assistant to the Yong Chen, Secretary of the Party Committee of IDMR, delivered a welcome speech on behalf of the College. He extended a sincere welcome to the ICIMOD delegation and emphasized the profound significance of this exchange and cooperation.
Secretary Chen expressed the hope to seize this opportunity to deepen cross-regional collaboration in South Asia. Focusing on tackling disaster challenges in respect of earthquakes and climate change, and driven by technological innovations, the symposium aimed to promote the green and safe development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), adding a momentum to building a community with a shared future for mankind and advancing global disaster reduction and sustainable development.
Qianggong Zhang, Head of the Climate and Environmental Risks Strategic Group at ICIMOD, outlined the objectives of the visit and exchange. He stated that the visit aimed to strengthen cooperation between professionals in China and South Asia in disaster prevention and mitigation, laying a solid foundation for both sides to carry out more substantive collaborative projects in this field.
Subsequently, Dr. Neera Shrestha Pradhan, a Senior Specialist in Water and Climate Adaptation at ICIMOD, provided a detailed introduction about the organization's fundamental situation and its strategic vision towards 2030. She pointed out that ICIMOD focuses on climate risk and water-induced disaster management in the HKH region. Utilizing advanced approaches such as glacier monitoring, permafrost mapping, and disaster early warning technology upgrades, ICIMOD actively develops flood forecasting models and community-based early warning systems. It also vigorously promotes the establishment of data-sharing networks for river basins like the Yarlung Zangbo (Brahmaputra) and also comprehensively enhances regional capabilities for joint disaster prevention, control, and response.
Baofeng Di —the Dean of IDMR, comprehensively showcased the outstanding achievements the College has made in talent cultivation, scientific research innovation, and international cooperation. He highlighted the College's practical experience in actively participating in international disaster relief operations, establishing the Belt and Road Disaster Reduction Platform, and promoting the export of disaster risk management technologies, all of which demonstrate IDMR's strong capabilities and international commitment in the field of disaster prevention and mitigation.
During the event, Yongbo Li, Deputy Director of the Sichuan Disaster Reduction Center, delivered an insightful academic report titled "Continuously Enhancing Comprehensive Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Capabilities in Post-Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction." Dr. Shen Fuqiang from the Surveying and Mapping Emergency Support Center of the Sichuan Bureau of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation presented another excellent report focusing on "Sichuan Emergency Surveying and Mapping Cases." They all shared valuable experiences and innovative practices from Sichuan's perspective in disaster prevention and mitigation.
During the exchange and discussion session, Xianlong Li, the Second-Level Researcher from the Sichuan Provincial Department of Emergency Management, detailed the achievements made in comprehensive disaster reduction since the department's establishment and the history of close cooperation with IDMR.
Senior officials and experts from Nepal, Bangladesh, India, and other countries introduced the current status and prominent issues of disaster management in their respective countries. They expressed the hope to strengthen all-around cooperation with Sichuan Province and Sichuan University in the field of comprehensive disaster prevention and mitigation.
