The 2026 International Conference on Natural Resources and Planning (ICNRP 2026) was successfully held from March 26 to 29 at the University of Hong Kong, bringing together global expertise and creating a platform for academic exchange and collaboration.
The conference was jointly organized by the International Association of Natural Resources (iAONR), the Urban Systems Institute of the University of Hong Kong, and the Faculty of Architecture, including the Departments of Urban Planning and Design and Geography. The event was supported by the Global Designers Association (GDA) and the YUANYE AWARDS International Competition Organizing Committee.
The conference attracted approximately 600 experts, scholars, and industry professionals from more than 20 countries and regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, as well as China and the Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions. During the conference, over 400 abstracts and more than 100 full papers were submitted, covering natural resource utilization, urban and rural planning, and green development.
Opening and closing ceremony
At the opening ceremony, Academician Honglie Sun, former Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Mr. Sommad Pholsena, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly of Laos, delivered video addresses, congratulating the conference and expressing expectations for global natural resource protection and sustainable development. Opening remarks were delivered by Professor Mohammad Qasim Jan, President of iAONR and Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Professor Peng Gong, Vice President of the University of Hong Kong.
During the closing ceremony, Ms. Li Fan, Programme Officer of UN-Habitat, and Professor Pietro Elisei, President of the Global Designers Association (GDA), delivered speeches summarizing the outcomes of the conference and looking ahead to future development.
Keynote sessions
Following the opening ceremony, two keynote sessions featured seven distinguished academicians and experts, including Professor Mohammad Qasim Jan, Professor Richard Church, Professors Bojie Fu and Anthony G.O Yeh, Professor Renzhong Guo, Professor Abay Serikkhanov, and Professor Patrick Roberts. The sessions were chaired by Professor Lei Shen of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, together with Professors Shenjing He and Bo Huang from the University of Hong Kong.
Conference exchange and discussion
Nearly 300 participants engaged in in-depth discussions across 21 parallel sessions, while two master architects held a high-level dialogue. Discussions focused on sustainable utilization of natural resources, green development, urban and rural planning, and the built environment, contributing insights toward addressing global ecological challenges.
Exhibition and awards
To showcase cutting-edge practices and academic innovation, the conference featured a thematic exhibition titled “Architecture · Resources · Future”. The exhibition presented exemplary projects and research achievements in architecture, urban planning, resource efficiency, and ecological conservation. Highlights included award-winning works from the YUANYE AWARDS International Competition and the International Natural Resources and Planning Excellence Awards.
At the closing ceremony, the results of the Young Excellent Paper Awards were announced. A total of 46 papers were selected, including 6 Outstanding Prizes, 24 First Prizes, and 16 Second Prizes, with 29 award recipients attending the ceremony.
Concurrently, the International Award for Best Practices (IABP) in Natural Resources and Planning recognized outstanding built projects with strong demonstrative value. This year, 4 Excellence Awards, 23 Merit Awards, and 25 Nomination Awards were presented, aiming to promote high-quality practices and scalable models in resource planning and sustainable development.
Global council and long-term collaboration
Prior to the conference, the International Association of Natural Resources convened its Global Council Meeting. Professor Mohammad Qasim Jan was elected as the founding President. Four internationally renowned experts were elected as Vice Presidents, and Professor Lei Shen was appointed Executive President. In addition, the inaugural council meetings of the Urban and Regional Planning Committee and the Environment Protection and Ecological Restoration Committee were successfully held.
The four-day conference featured rich and productive exchanges, with participants expressing strong appreciation for the outcomes. Attendees noted that the conference provides an important platform to further strengthen international cooperation in natural resources and planning, jointly address climate change, promote green and low-carbon urban development, and advance a harmonious future between humanity and nature.
