Dear Colleague,

We are honored to invite you to the 22nd Congress of the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research -Asia and Pacific Division (IAHR-APD). The congress will be held in Sapporo from September 14 to 17, 2020.

The theme of the congress is “Creating resilience to water-related challenges”. Due to global climate change, disasters induced by extreme weather have been increasing, and Japan has not escaped such disasters. Extraordinary heavy rains have been causing large-scale disasters every year. These occurred at the Kinu River in 2015, in Central Hokkaido in 2016, in Northern Kyushu in 2017, and in Western Honshu in 2018. The disasters caused tremendous damage and loss from flooding and landslides.

To overcome climate change-induced disasters and to create infrastructure that mitigates the damage and loss caused by such disasters, hydro-environmental engineers are expected to identify the factors involved in such disasters and to propose countermeasures. We encourage all who are involved in hydro-environmental engineering to contribute to the congress, which will be an important opportunity for researchers and other participants from the Asia-Pacific region to share experience and knowledge.

We will strive to make the 22nd congress a pivotal event in addressing climate change. It will be hosted by Hokkaido University, the Japan Society of Civil Engineers and many organizations in Japan.

Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, is the fifth-most-populous city in Japan. It is famous for its annual snow festival, and autumn is another excellent time to visit. It is the most delicious season in Sapporo, with salmon returning to spawn, fruits ripening in the orchards and various harvest festivals taking place. The fall foliage is spectacular.

We look forward to receiving a research abstract from you and seeing you in Sapporo in September 2020.

Sincerely,
Prof. Yasuyuki Shimizu
Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee
The 22nd Congress of IAHR-APD

The 22nd IAHR APD Congress with its theme “Creating resilience to water-related challenges” cannot be timelier in these times of urgent need for adequate coordinated policy to mitigate climate change impacts through weather related disasters. These policies need to be well informed by innovative research and engineering knowledge.

The 22nd IAHR APD Congress is expected to bring together Engineers, Scientist, Academics and Policymakers, round the world and particularly from the Asia Pacific Region for in depth discussion and contribution to the global knowledge base in Hydro Environmental Engineering and Management area. In addition, the special session on Historic Water Projects and Traditional Water Technologies is expected to inform past practices and its future uses.

Japan a uniquely beautiful country together with its traditional Japanese hospitality is certain to further enhance the Congress experience.

On behalf of the IAHR APD, I look forward to your participation at the Congress.