On the morning of September 23, the "UNESCO Water Family Symposium I: Sediment and Soil Erosion Solutions" was successfully held in Beijing, jointly organized by IRTCES and IWHR. The theme of the meeting was "Sustainable Use and Management of Land and Water Resources." Academician Shao Ming'an from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Academician Slobodan Simonovic from the Royal Society of Canada and the University of Western Ontario delivered keynote speeches. The meeting was chaired by Professor Wang Zhaoyin, former President of WASER, and Professor Michael Maerker, Editor-in-Chief of the International Soil and Water Conservation Research.

 (i)       Highlights

The keynote speeches were visionary. Shao Ming'an presented a keynote speech titled "Spatial Distribution and Regulation of the Soil Dry Layer on the Loess Plateau," analyzing how vegetation construction exacerbates the contradiction between water supply and demand, leading to the emergence of soil dry layers and their profound impact on ecosystem functions and hydrological cycles. He elaborated on the causes, changes, and spatial distribution characteristics of soil dry layers in the Loess Plateau, assessed the soil moisture vegetation carrying capacity and spatial patterns, and proposed technical means to alleviate soil dry layers, including density regulation, conversion between forests and grasslands, community reconstruction, and land-use conversion, as well as vegetation construction and ecological restoration suggestions based on water conditions.

Simonovic delivered a keynote speech titled "Water Security and Sustainable Development: Building a Resilient Future through Performance-Based Approaches." He introduced the framework of performance-based water resources management and its core objectives, emphasizing the importance of enhancing the sustainability and resilience of water resources management in the face of global change complexities and uncertainties. This approach not only optimizes current management standards but also proactively considers future changes and challenges, offering new perspectives and solutions for water resources management.

During the expert discussion session, experts including Hyoseop Woo, former Vice-President of the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research; Carmelo Dazzi, former President of the European Society for Soil Conservation; Valentin Gerasimov, Professor at Moscow State University; Shi Hongling from IRTCES; Tarik Benabdelouahab, Director of Environment and Natural Resources at the National Institute of Agronomy of Morocco; Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi, Vice-President of WASWAC; and Chun Kiat Chang, Deputy Director of IRTCES for River Engineering and Urban Drainage at the University of Science and Technology Malaysia, engaged in in-depth exchanges on the latest research findings in sediment management, soil erosion, flood control, and ecological protection. They provided valuable suggestions for promoting academic progress and technological cooperation in this field.

(ii)       Achievements

(1) It publicized President Xi Jinping's ecological civilization thought, introducing Chinese wisdom and solutions such as "Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" and the integrated governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, and deserts.

(2) From the policy and strategic level, it further recognized the importance of interdisciplinary and cross-sector cooperation in addressing erosion and sedimentation issues.

(3) It shared the latest research progress and technological trends in the field of erosion and sedimentation.

(iii)       Reflections and Suggestions

(1) Strengthen research and technology development, increase funding, encourage technological innovation, support interdisciplinary research, and promote the application of new technologies and materials in prevention and control efforts.

(2) Enhance the integrated management of erosion and sedimentation. Given the complexity of these issues, comprehensive strategies involving multiple disciplines and perspectives are needed.

(3) Expand international cooperation and exchange, encourage and support international joint research projects to address erosion and sedimentation problems.