Munich, Germany | October 26-29, 2025
The International Climate Resilience Conference (iCARE) brought together global experts and stakeholders at the Ludwig- Maximillians-University of Munich (LMU) from October 26-29, 2025, to address critical issues of climate resilience and natural resource management. The event featured inspiring discussions and cutting-edge research on pathways to maintain the resilience of natural resource systems under increasing environmental challenges.
Prof. Lei Shen, President of the International Association of Natural Resources (iAONR) and a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), acted the convener and hosted the Session 15: Paths and Strategies for Maintaining Resilience of Natural Resource Systems. He delivered a significant presentation titled Research on Comprehensive Zoning of Natural Resource Development and Utilization in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor for Climate Resilience and Disaster Risk Response. Prof. Shen’s research highlighted the strategic importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in addressing climate resilience and disaster risk response. The presentation focused on five key questions: What is the impact of climate resilience and disaster risk response on natural resource development and utilization? What are the major disaster risks in the CPEC? What are the natural resources and ecological endowments in the CPEC? What indicators influence green development in the CPEC? and How can green development be realized in the CPEC?
The study underscored the critical role of ecosystem services in mitigating climate and disaster risks. It also identified green development strategies for specific zones along the CPEC, such as clean energy industrial zones, green agriculture zones, and eco-tourism zones. The research emphasized the need for sustainable management of water, land, minerals, and renewable energy resources to ensure resilience against climate-driven disasters and anthropogenic pollution.
Prof. Shen’s presentation also identified major disaster risks and indicated that the CPEC faces significant risks from geological hazards (e.g., landslides, debris flows), meteorological disasters (e.g., droughts, extreme temperatures), and anthropogenic pollution (e.g., black carbon aerosols, sulphur dioxide emissions). Prof. Shen still analysed its natural resource endowment in the CPEC which is rich in water, land, mineral, renewable energy, and ecosystem services, providing a foundation for sustainable development. Moreover, some green development indicators were pointed out, including traffic accessibility, land use suitability, and potential economic benefits. Finally, Prof. Shen proposed eight comprehensive zones for green development in the CPEC, tailored to regional ecological endowments and disaster risks.
The iCARE conference provided a platform for global experts to share insights and innovations in climate resilience and natural resource management. Prof. Lei Shen’s research on the CPEC offered valuable strategies for achieving sustainable development in the face of climate change and disaster risks. The conference emphasized the critical role of international collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches in building resilience for a sustainable future.
The newly founded International Association of Natural Resources (iAONR), established in 2025 to advance global collaboration in natural resource science and sustainable management. The iAONR envisions becoming a leading platform for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to address humanity’s urgent need to preserve the resilience of natural resource systems.
For more information, visit at:
International Association of Natural Resources (iAONR): www.iaonr.org
International Climate Resilience Conference (iCARE) at LMU Munich: https://www.geo.lmu.de/geographie/de/forschung/mensch-umwelt-beziehungen/climate-resilience-conference-2025/