The first international symposium on integrated flood and sediment management in river basin for sustainable development (FSMaRT) is taking place in Da Nang on December 18 -20.

The event was jointly organised by the University of Science and Technology - the University of Da Nang, the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research, research institutes and management agencies on disaster prevention, water, irrigation, dam and reservoir operation from Japan, Philippines and Malaysia, and a number of domestic and foreign universities.

The 3-day international symposium attracts more than 200 delegates from 8 countries, including over 50 leading scholars in the field of disaster mitigation and climate change.

A total of 52 reports are presented in 7 sessions at the event, with a focus on solving problems encountered at the basin level along with reservoir operation, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.

At the event, researchers, scientists and scholars from agencies, universities and businesses share experience, ideas and innovative research on the impacts of climate change, interventions of humans to flooding, drought and landslides, and the sedimentation of reservoirs.

The event features discussion about pressing practical issues in river basins around the world, especially in the Vu Gia - Thu Bon river basin and the cause of flooding in Quang Nam Province and Da Nang, and solutions.

Within the framework of the international event, the University of Science and Technology signed a cooperation agreement with the Isabela State University, the Philippines, on promoting training, research and student exchange activities.

Reporting by NGOC HA - Translating by M.DUNG