通知公告

The 2^nd China-Pakistan Symposium on Early Warning for Hydrological and Geological Disasters

(18-19 May, 2026 Islamabad, Pakistan)

1. Background and Introduction

In the face of accelerating climate change, Pakistan and China are confronting increasing threats from hydrological and geological disasters, including catastrophic floods, landslides, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and debris flows. These hazards not only endanger the lives and livelihoods of millions but also pose significant risks to the infrastructure and long-term sustainability of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Recognizing these shared challenges, the China-Pakistan Joint Research Center on Earth Sciences (CPJRC) has served as a pivotal platform for bilateral scientific cooperation. In August 2025, the 1^st China-Pakistan Symposium on Hydrological and Geological Disaster: Monitoring and Early Warning was successfully held in Islamabad, marking a significant milestone in bilateral cooperation. That inaugural meeting facilitated the presentation of co-developed early warning systems and fostered crucial dialogue among experts, policymakers, and practitioners.

Building on this momentum, the 2nd Symposium aims to move from dialogue and demonstration toward enhanced implementation and capacity building. This year's meeting is particularly timely, as recent technological breakthroughs-the advanced mountain hazard monitoring platforms developed by the Chinese partner-are now slated for deployment in Pakistan, supported by a formal agreement with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

2.Time and Venue

Time: 18-19 May, 2025

Venue: Premises of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Islamabad, Pakistan

3. Important dates

17 May (Sun): Registration

18 May (Mon): Opening Ceremony & Keynote Presentations

19 May (Tue): Parallel Sessions

4. Hosts & Organizers

China-Pakistan Joint Research Center on Earth Sciences (CPJRC)

National Disaster Management Authority, Pakistan (NDMA)

UNESCO Chair for Mountain Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience (MDR³)

Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMHE)

Quaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan (QAU)

Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South‌ (COMSATS)

Economic Cooperation Organization Science Foundation (ECOSF)

5. Objectives

The primary objectives of the 2nd Symposium are to:

1. Track Implementation Progress: Review the status of ongoing collaborative projects, particularly the deployment of the advanced “Disaster Risk Warning System (RWS) For Mountain Disasters” across pilot regions in Pakistan.
2. Strengthen Policy Integration: Discuss strategies for integrating scientific early warning outputs into national and local disaster management policies and emergency response mechanisms in both countries
3. Enhance Data Sharing: Promote the utilization of platforms such as the “Digital CPEC” and the new “Natural Resources and Green Development Atlas” to support evidence-based decision-making for disaster risk reduction and infrastructure planning.
4. Showcase New Technology in DRR: Highlight cutting-edge technologies in climate and disaster monitoring, including advanced monitoring equipment, innovative mitigation engineering techniques, and the application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for disaster assessment and response.
5. Foster Knowledge Exchange: Provide a platform for leading researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals from China, Pakistan and other countries to share best practices, emerging technologies, and theoretical advances in disaster monitoring and early warning.
6. Promote Capacity Building: Identify training needs and capacity-building measures to improve resilience at local, regional, and national levels.

6. Draft Agenda

The two-day symposium will feature 2 plenary sessions, 5 parallel technical sessions and a Panel Discussion. Keynote speakers have been jointly invited by CPJRC, NDMA, and Quaid-i-Azam University for the plenary sessions. The Panel Discussion will focus on collaboration between China and Pakistan on Hydrological and Geological Disasters. The five parallel sessions will be on different special topics:

• Session I: Mountain Hazard Mechanism, Risk Governance and Early Warning: Mountain hazard and associated disaster risk in the HKH region, showcasing technologies for disaster investigation, assessment, and mitigation, including the monitoring and early warning system for Pakistan.

分会1：山地灾害监测预警与风险防控

Co-Chairs:

Prof. ZOU Qiang, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMHE-CAS)

Dr. Syed Muhammad Tayyab Shah, NDMA

Prof. CHEN Huayong, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMHE-CAS)

• Session II: From Cryosphere Disaster Dynamics to Its Socio-Economic Impacts: In-depth assessment of the evolution of disasters in ice-covered zones (GLOFs, snowmelt) along the CPEC; quantitative analysis of their potential impacts on regional society, economy, and infrastructure.

分会2：冰冻圈灾害演化及其社会经济的影响

Co-Chairs:

Prof. SHANG GUAN Donghui, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences (NIEER-CAS)

Prof. Javed Iqbal, National University of Science and Technology, Pakistan

Prof. XU Min, NIEER-CAS

• Session III: Digital CPEC: Enabling Data-Driven Disaster Resilience: Demonstration of the “Digital CPEC platform” and Earth observation technologies; applications in spatial planning, risk zoning, real-time monitoring, and emergency management decision support.

分会3：数字中巴经济走廊—赋能数据驱动的灾害韧性

Co-Chairs:

Prof. WANG Juanle, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IGSNRR-CAS)

Dr. Muhammad Toqeer, Assistant Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad

Dr. YANG Xiaodong, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology，Chinese Academy of Sciences (SCSIO-CAS)

• Session IV: Integrated Risk Assessment: Policy Synergy and Spatial Optimization for a Resilient Belt and Road: Exploring spatial optimization pathways for infrastructure development; identifying cooperation priorities for green development under the Belt and Road Initiative; aligning disaster risk reduction with sustainable investment strategies.

分会4：综合风险评估—韧性“一带一路”建设的政策协同与空间优化

Co-Chairs:

Prof. SONG Zhouying, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IGSNRR-CAS)

Dr. Muhammad Naveed Anjum, Dept. of Land and Water Conservation Engineering, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Prof. XU Wenqiang, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences (XIEG-CAS)

• Session V: Geographical Cooperation and Regional Sustainable Development under Climate Change: Exploring the mechanisms of cross-border geographical cooperation in addressing climate change, emphasizing the coordinated advancement of climate adaptation strategies and regional sustainable development goals.

分会5：气候变化下的地理合作与区域可持续发展

Co-Chairs:

Prof. LIU Hui, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IGSNRR-CAS)

Prof. Atta Ur Rahman, University of Peshawar, Pakistan

6. Tentative List of Keynote Speakers (20mins/per)

1. Prof. KANG Shichang, Director-General & Professor, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Science

2. Prof. Attaullah Shah, Karakoram International University (KIU)

3. Prof. ZOU Qiang, Professor, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences

4. Prof. Qasim Jan, Professor, Pakistan Academy of Sciences; University of Peshawar

5. Prof. SU Lijun, Professor, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences

6. Prof. Javed Iqbal, National University of Science and Technology,

7. Prof. Shehla Gul, University of Peshawar

8. Dr. YANG Xiaodong, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SCSIO-CAS)

9. Engr. Syed Muhammad Tayyab Shah, NDAM

10. Ms. Zahra Hassan, NDMA

11. Mr. FU Shuai, Beijing Dayu Water Control Technology Co., Ltd

7. Contact Information

From the Chinese side:

Prof. Hong Tianhua, hongth@aircas.ac.cn, Tel: 0318-5001269

Dr. Lei Yu, leiyu@imde.ac.cn, Tel: 0314-8946594

Ms. Li Wanhong, liwanhong@imde.ac.cn, Tel: 03195850180

From the Pakistani side:

NDMA:

M. Tanveer Piracha, Executive Director NIDM, NDMA, ccnidm@ndma.gov.pk

Dr. Muhammad Usman, NDMA, Tel: 03217033530

QAU:

Dr. Mumtaz Shah, QAU, Tel: 0303 5218203