The 3rd International Conference on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management (2025)
Introduction
The 3rd International Conference on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management was held from August 27 to 31, 2025, at the Vietnamese-German University (VGU) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Anchored on the theme “ASEAN Climate Action: Collaborative Strategies for Sustainable Futures”, the conference brought together participants from across ASEAN and beyond, representing government institutions, universities, research organizations, and industry. The event provided a platform for sharing recent advances in climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR), with the aim of integrating scientific knowledge, technological innovation, and policy development. The conference program included keynote speeches, plenary sessions, panel discussions, poster presentations, and institutional partnership agreements. These sessions highlighted challenges and opportunities in climate-resilient communities, adaptive agriculture and fisheries, watershed and river basin management, and nature-based solutions for sustainable development. Alongside academic presentations, the event placed significant emphasis on collaboration between institutions, the role of youth leadership, and the integration of CCA and DRR into regional development planning. A delegation from Kyoto University’s Kantoush Laboratory participated actively in the conference. Members of the group contributed through keynote lectures, plenary talks, and paper presentations focusing on innovations in extreme precipitation prediction, teleconnection analysis, and dam operation strategies.
The conference was formally opened on the second day with welcome remarks from Dr. Thomas Aulig, Vice President of the VGU, who emphasized the role of VGU as a hub for connecting science, education, and practice in addressing regional and global climate challenges. His message set the stage for the gathering of over 150 participants from ASEAN countries and international institutions. This was followed by Prof. Sameh Ahmed Kantoush, Professor at Kyoto University (Head of the Kantoush lab), who encouraged participants to view research and collaboration as essential drivers of collective climate action. Dr. Orlando F.Balderama, Vice President for Research, Development, Extension, and Training at Isabela State University, then provided an overview of the conference’s objectives, sub-themes, and expected outcomes, orienting participants to the academic and professional journey of the event. The keynote sessions featured a diverse range of perspectives. Commissioner Albert P. Dela Cruz Sr. of the Philippine Climate Change Commission highlighted the importance of integrating science-based knowledge into governance, with specific reference to the Philippines’ National Adaptation Plan and the ASEAN carbon market. Prof. Boyet L.Batang, President of Isabela State University, underlined the role of universities in bridging science and policy, fostering youth leadership, and promoting international cooperation. From Japan, Mr. Ota Michio, Senior Specialist at the Japan Water Agency (JWA), presented advanced approaches to integrated water resources management,including ensemble rainfall forecasting and AI-driven hydrological models.
Beyond keynote presentations, the conference also facilitated institutional partnerships. A notable milestone was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Vietnamese-German University and the Cagayan Valley Agriculture, Aquatic, and Resources Research and Development (CVAARRD). Additional MOUs were established among universities, and national agencies, aligning efforts with UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goals. Poster exhibits were officially opened, showcasing innovative studies from across ASEAN
member states.
The plenary sessions reflected the interdisciplinary scope of the event. Discussions addressed proactive disaster risk management in the Philippines, dam safety and community-based disaster prevention practices in Japan, and innovative modeling approaches for flood prediction. Presentations also covered topics such as bioactive feed supplements for aquaculture resilience, nature-based agricultural practices in the Mekong Delta, and smart watershed governance under climate variability. Each plenary concluded with interactive question-and-answer sessions, whichencouraged dialogue between researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. The day ended with a networking dinner that provided a platform for building partnerships and informal knowledge exchange.
The closing sessions synthesized these discussions, emphasizing the pressing need for shared knowledge, robust policies, and cross-border partnerships in addressing the complexities of climate change. Key challenges identified included climate variability, sediment yield, dam operations, sand mining, and the management of flood and drought risks in river basin systems. At the same time, advances in monitoring methods, such as the use of remote sensing, drones, and machine learning tools, were highlighted as promising directions for improving resilience and sustainability.
Kyoto University Contributions
A delegation from Kyoto University’s Kantoush Laboratory played an active role in the conference through keynote lectures, plenary presentations, and technical sessions. The group’s participation reflected its broader research objectives of developing innovative approaches to assess the impacts of climate change and teleconnection patterns on extreme precipitation events, as well as advancing strategies for dam operation and water resources management.
Prof. Sameh Ahmed Kantoush delivered a keynote address highlighting Japan’s resilient water and urban systems under climate variability. His presentation emphasized smart and adaptive dam and reservoir operations, supported by improved forecasting and multi-objective optimization, as critical measures for reducing downstream risks and ensuring sustainable watershed governance. Prof. Vahid Nourani, visiting professor at Kyoto University, contributed with a keynote lecture on the application of large-scale climate indices and Z-number modeling to improve extreme rainfall and flood prediction. His work underscored the potential of advanced modeling frameworks to reduce uncertainty and enhance decision-making in flood risk management. Dr. Binh Quang Nguyen, a postdoctoral researcher in the Kantoush laboratory, presented his study on “Evaluating the Effects of Climate Change and Cascade Dams on Flood Frequency in the Mekong River Basin using Annual-Maximum-Series and Peak-Over-Threshold Methods.”. His research addressed the combined impacts of climate change and dam operations on flood frequency in one of Asia’s most important river systems, providing evidence for improved water management and disaster risk reduction strategies. Among the doctoral students, Phuoc Sinh Nguyen (D2) presented his work on “A Novel Deep Learning-Based Cluster-Matching Model for Analyzing Typhoons at the Basin-Scale: A Case in the Chikugo River Basin, Japan.”. His research demonstrated the application of artificial intelligence methods to analyze typhoon patterns and improve predictive capacities for extreme weather events. This contribution was recognized with the Best Paper Award in the Nexus Special Event section.
Amirreza Tabataba Vakili (D1) presented his study on “Assessing Extreme Monthly Precipitation Using Association Rules under the Influence of Teleconnection Indices in Shikoku Island, Southern Japan.”. The work applied association rule mining to uncover hidden links betweenatmospheric teleconnections and extreme precipitation events, providing insights into early warning and flood preparedness. This study also received the Best Paper Award in the Nexus Special Event section.
Together, these contributions demonstrated the Kyoto University group’s intense engagement with the conference themes.
Conclusion
The 3rd International Conference on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management highlighted the pressing need for integrating science, policy, and practice to address climate-related risks in the ASEAN region. Key discussions focused on innovativemodeling, resilient water management, sustainable agriculture, and cross-border collaboration. For Kyoto University, the conference was a valuable opportunity to present ongoing research on extreme precipitation prediction, teleconnection influences, and dam operation strategies. The recognition of two doctoral students with Best Paper Awards reflected the quality and impact of these contributions.
Overall, the event reinforced the importance of international cooperation and provided a platform for Kyoto University to strengthen its role in advancing research and partnerships in climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.