The meeting revolved around the theme "Delta Sustainability – Seeking Solutions for Sustainable Development"
Published on 21 November 2023 | news
Adapted from the original article written by Wicky Xu on the website of the State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research
On November 6th, 2023, East China Normal University (ECNU) inaugurated the 2nd International Mega–Delta Meeting in Shanghai, a gathering that drew over 200 experts and scholars from 17 countries. Themed "Delta Sustainability – Seeking Solutions for Sustainable Development," the conference provided a platform for in-depth discussions on research findings from more than 20 river delta regions worldwide. The event offered valuable insights and recommendations for the future development of deltaic areas.
During the opening ceremony, the MegaDelta Programme unveiled its latest academic achievement: Delta Sustainability: A Report to the Mega-Delta Programme of the UN Ocean Decade. This comprehensive report, the result of a two-year collaboration involving 74 researchers from 13 countries, addresses the challenges and prospects of 16 representative large river delta regions globally.
Prof. Weiguo Zhang, the lead editor of the report and a professor at the State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, ECNU, expressed his delight at overcoming multiple challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. "Seventy-four researchers from 13 countries contributed to this report, which took two years to compile. The editorial team overcame multiple adverse challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and is delighted to present the report to the public today."
The report provides a detailed analysis of five aspects for each delta, including the natural environment, socio-economic characteristics, challenges faced, management measures, and outlook. It distills overarching sustainable development issues and management challenges confronting deltas globally.
The two-day conference featured four sub-forums focusing on Coastal Flooding and Hydrodynamics, Coastal Erosion, Sedimentation, Geomorphic Dynamics, Coastal Zone System Biogeochemistry, and Wetland and Coastal Zone Management. Scientists from 17 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and North and South America exchanged ideas and insights on the latest achievements in the fields of hydrodynamic sedimentation processes, biogeochemical cycling in deltaic regions, disaster prevention and mitigation strategies, wetland conservation and restoration, as well as sustainable resource utilization, management, and regulation in delta areas.
The conference also delved into the implementation of the “MegaDelta Programme” endorsed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. This initiative aims to address the challenges faced by deltas through multilateral and bilateral cooperation, making valuable contributions to achieving global sustainable development goals for the oceans.
The 2nd International MegaDelta Meeting exemplifies ECNU's commitment to fostering collaboration and driving advancements in delta sustainability on a global scale. The insights shared and collaborations formed during this event are poised to shape the future of deltaic regions worldwide.
Read more about MegaDelta on its dedicated page.