August 30, 2025 — At the invitation of the organizing committee, Prof. Dr. Lei Shen, President of the International Association of Natural Resources (iAONR) and Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research(IGSN RR), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), attended the International Conference on Early Warming Systems for Hydrological and Geological Disasters, held in Islamabad, Pakistan. During the event, he delivered a plenary keynote speech, actively participated in the Youth Forum, engaged in governmental and institutional visits, and met with senior representatives of major Chinese enterprises operating in Pakistan.
Keynote Address: Green Development and Disaster Risk Management in CPEC
Prof. Shen’s keynote, entitled “Identification of Major Disaster Risks and Comprehensive Zoning for Green Development in the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)”, provided an in-depth assessment of natural disaster risks, ecological endowment, and green development opportunities across the CPEC region. Drawing on collaborative research with his team, he highlighted:
- The geographic and environmental diversityof the CPEC, stretching from the Karakoram Mountains to the Indus Plain;
- An indicator system for green development zoning, integrating disaster risk, ecological capacity, and resource suitability;
- The need for innovative approaches to green infrastructure, renewable energy, and ecological conservation;
- Recommendations for risk-resilient development pathways, aligning ecological sustainability with economic growth.
His talk sparked wide discussion among participants from academia, government agencies, and industry, underscoring the strategic importance of science-based planning for CPEC’s long-term development.
Youth Forum: Inspiring the Next Generation
In addition to the keynote, Prof. Shen joined the Youth Forum session. He shared his academic journey and emphasized the critical role of early-career researchers and young professionals in shaping global natural resource governance. By engaging with students and young scientists from Pakistan and other countries, he encouraged them to pursue interdisciplinary innovation and to contribute to international scientific cooperation under frameworks such as the Belt and Road Initiative.
Institutional Visits: Strengthening Collaboration with NDMA
During his stay, Prof. Shen paid a formal visit to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of Pakistan. He met with senior officials, including the NDMA Director General, to exchange views on:
- Integrated disaster risk management strategies;
- Opportunities for China–Pakistan cooperationin data sharing, remote sensing, and risk assessment;
- Practical measures to enhance resilience of communities along CPEC.
On behalf of iAONR and CAS, Prof. Shen presented NDMA leaders with his newly published monograph on natural resources and disaster risk governance, symbolizing the deepening of bilateral scientific collaboration.
Engagement with Key Chinese Enterprises in Pakistan
Prof. Shen also held discussions with senior managers of China Energy Engineering Group (CEEC) and PowerChina International (中国电建国际) — two major Chinese enterprises leading energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan. The meetings focused on:
- The integration of scientific research outcomesinto industrial practices;
- Enhancing the environmental sustainabilityof infrastructure construction;
- Exploring pathways for green transitionin overseas investments.
These dialogues helped bridge academic research and industrial application, reinforcing China’s commitment to responsible investment and sustainable cooperation in Pakistan.
Significance and Outlook
Prof. Shen’s active participation demonstrated the growing influence of iAONR in international natural resource governance. His contributions strengthened scientific dialogue, promoted China–Pakistan cooperation in disaster risk reduction and green development, and highlighted the need for joint action to meet global sustainability challenges.
Looking forward, iAONR will continue to build global platforms for interdisciplinary research, encourage youth engagement, and promote partnerships among academia, government, and industry to ensure that natural resource utilization supports both ecological resilience and socio-economic development.
You can download the conference handbook at the following link:https://drive.google.com/file/d/182cmlq4W_fgTQjaFMHBDNl5MD0vH-GLj/view?usp=drive_link